Title of Invention

"COMMUNICATION FAILURE DETECTION CIRCUIT FOR BACK-TO-BACK SCR CIRCUIT AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREOF"

Abstract The configurations of a commutation failure detection circuit for a back-to-back SCR circuit and the controlling methods thereof are provided. The proposed commutation failure detection circuit includes a first detecting signal generator coupled to the back-to-back SCR circuit for detecting a commutation at a negative half cycle of an AC input voltage and including a first non-conductive signal amplifier circuit generating a first non-conductive signal when the back-to-back SCR circuit is not conductive at the negative half cycle of the AC input voltage and a second detecting signal generator coupled to the back-to-back SCR circuit for detecting the commutation at a positive half cycle of the AC input voltage and including a second non-conductive signal amplifier circuit generating a second non-conductive signal when the back-to-back SCR circuit is not conductive at the positive half cycle of the AC input voltage.
Full Text FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a commutation failure detection circuit for a back-to-back
connected silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) circuit. More particularly, the present
invention relates to a commutation failure detection circuit for a back-to-back SCR circuit
having relatively better efficiency.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Using back-to-back connected SCRs as a static switch in between an AC power supply and
a load is quite common nowadays. For example, please refer to Fig. 1, it shows a
schematic circuit diagram of a conventional tap changing transformer including six pairs of
back-to-back SCRs (SCR1 to SCR6) for line voltage regulation (with input supply:
240-520V and output supply: 220 +/- 10% V). In which, each pair of the back-to-back
SCRs has a first terminal (kl(l) to kl(6)) and a second terminal (k2(l) to k2(6), and each of
the SCRs has a gate (Gl(l) to Gl(6) and G2(l) to G2(6)). In such an application of SCRs,
a commutation failure detection circuit is required to avoid a dramatic damage to the
transformer caused by a malfunction of the SCRs.
Please refer to Fig. 2, which shows a block diagram of a conventional commutation failure
detection circuit using bridge and opto-coupler for a back-to-back SCR circuit. In which, it
shows a back-to-back SCR circuit and the failure detection circuit including a resistor bank
coupled to the back-to-back SCR circuit, a full-bridge circuit coupled to the resistor bank
and the back-to-back SCR circuit, and an opto isolator having an opto-coupler (not shown)
coupled to the full-bridge circuit, receiving a DC supply and outputting an output.
Assume that the first SCR of a SCR pair of the back-to-back SCR circuit (not shown) is
triggered at some firing angle in a positive half cycle of an AC input voltage (not shown) of
the back-to-back SCR circuit. A forward voltage is present across the SCR pair until any
one of the SCR starts conducting. This forward voltage is applied to the full-bridge
rectifier through the resistor bank. The resistor bank serves the purpose of limiting the
current flowing into the full-bridge circuit. The rectified voltage turns on a light emitting
diode (not shown) in the opto-coupler and this signal is transmitted to the output.
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When any one of the SCR pair starts conducting, the voltage across the opto-diode is zero.
Therefore, there is no signal on the opto-coupler output. A similar operation follows in the
negative half cycle of the AC input voltage.
The advantages of the aforementioned conventional failure detection circuit using bridge
and opto-coupler are that the components count of which is relatively low. And the
disadvantages of the aforementioned conventional failure detection circuit using bridge and
opto-coupler are that the total applied voltage is dropped across the series-connected resistor
bank around the zero crossing of the AC input voltage. Therefore, a forward current
available to turn on the full-bridge including four diodes builds up slowly. Thus, there is
always some delay present in commutation failure detection of the SCR.
Please refer to Fig. 3, which shows a block diagram of a conventional commutation failure
detection circuit using opto-couplers for a back-to-back SCR circuit. In which, it shows a
back-to-back SCR circuit and the failure detection circuit including a resistor bank coupled
to the back-to-back SCR circuit and two opto isolators each having an opto-coupler (not
shown) and outputting an output, one opto isolator is coupled to the resistor bank, and the
other is coupled to the back-to-back SCR circuit and receives a DC supply voltage.
Assume that the first SCR of a SCR pair of the back-to-back SCR circuit (not shown) is
triggered at some firing angle in the positive half cycle of the AC input voltage (not shown)
of the back-to-back SCR circuit. The forward voltage is present across the SCR pair until
any one of the SCR starts conducting. A maximum voltage drop appears across the series
resistor bank, which serves to limit the current flowing into the opto-couplers. One
opto-coupler is connected in reverse direction to allow conduction during a negative
half-cycle of the AC input voltage. An input voltage of each of the opto-couplers turns on
an opto-diode (not shown) presents in each of the opto-couplers and transmits a signal to the
opto-coupler output.
When any one of the SCR pair starts conducting, the voltage across the opto-diode is zero.
Therefore, there is no signal at the opto-coupler output. A similar operation follows in the
negative half cycle of the AC input voltage.
The advantages of the above-mentioned conventional failure detection circuit using
opto-couplers are that the components count of which is also relatively low. But the
disadvantages of the above-mentioned conventional failure detection circuit using
opto-couplers are that the total applied voltage is dropped across the series-connected
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resistor bank around the zero crossing of the AC input voltage. Therefore, the forward
current available to turn on the opto-diodes builds up slowly. Thus, there is always some
delay present in commutation failure detection of the SCR.
Keeping the drawbacks of the prior arts in mind, the applicant proposes a commutation
failure detection circuit for a back-to-back SCR circuit and the controlling methods thereof
having relatively better efficiency.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a commutation failure detection
circuit for a back-to-back SCR circuit and the controlling method thereof having relatively
better efficiency in minimizing the delay present in commutation failure detection of the
back-to-back SCR circuit.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a commutation failure detection
circuit for a back-to-back silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) circuit includes a first detecting
signal generator coupled to the back-to-back SCR circuit for detecting a commutation at a
negative half cycle of an AC input voltage and including a first non-conductive signal
amplifier circuit generating a first non-conductive signal when the back-to-back SCR
circuit is not conductive at the negative half cycle of the AC input voltage, a first
non-conductive signal driver receiving and transferring the first non-conductive signal, and
a first non-conductive signal isolator receiving the transferred first non-conductive signal
for generating a first commutation detecting signal at a first status when the first
non-conductive signal is absent, and a second detecting signal generator coupled to the
back-to-back SCR circuit for detecting the commutation at a positive half cycle of the AC
input voltage and including a second non-conductive signal amplifier circuit generating a
second non-conductive signal when the back-to-back SCR circuit is not conductive at the
positive half cycle of the AC input voltage, a second non-conductive signal driver receiving
and transferring the second non-conductive signal, and a second non-conductive signal
isolator receiving the transferred second non-conductive signal for generating a second
commutation detecting signal at the first status when the second non-conductive signal is
absent.
Preferably, the commutation failure detection circuit further includes an output node
coupled to the first and the second non-conductive signal isolators for outputting one of the
first and the second commutation detecting signals, in which the first commutation
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detecting signal is in a second status when the first non-conductive signal is present, and
the second commutation detecting signal is in the second status when the second
non-conductive signal is present.
Preferably, the first and the second statuses are a logic high and a logic low statuses
respectively, each of the first and the second non-conductive signal isolators includes an
opto-coupler having two input terminals for receiving a DC supply voltage and receiving
and transmitting one of the transferred first and the transferred second non-conductive
signals respectively, an output terminal for outputting one of the transmitted and
transferred first and the transmitted and transferred second non-conductive signals and a
ground terminal, and a first resistor having a first terminal coupled to the outputting
terminal for receiving one of the transmitted and transferred first and the transmitted and
transferred second non-conductive signals and coupled to the outputting node for
generating one of the first and the second commutation detecting signals, and a second
terminal receiving a supply voltage for forming a conducting path via the ground terminal
to output one of the first and the second commutation detecting signals in the logic high
status and forming the first and the second commutation detecting signals in the logic low
status respectively.
Preferably, the back-to-back SCR circuit includes a first and a second SCRs each having a
cathode, the first non-conductive signal amplifier circuit is coupled to the cathode of the
first SCR, the second non-conductive signal amplifier circuit is coupled to the cathode of
the second SCR, and each of the first and the second non-conductive signal amplifier
circuits includes a signal bias resistor having a first terminal coupled to a DC supply
voltage for forming a non-conductive signal bias and a second terminal, a detection current
limiting resistor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the signal bias
resistor for limiting a detection current flowing through the detection current limiting
resistor and a second terminal, a reverse blocking diode having an anode coupled to the
second terminal of the detection current limiting resistor and a cathode coupled to one of
the cathodes of the first and the second SCRs for preventing a reverse voltage thereof, and a
signal amplifier amplifying one of the first and the second non-conductive signals and
including a first stage including a first transistor having a first terminal coupled to the
anode of the reverse blocking diode, a second terminal and a control terminal, and a first
resistor having a first terminal coupled to the control terminal of the first transistor and a
second terminal coupled to one of the cathodes of the first and the second SCRs, and a
second stage including a second transistor having a first terminal coupled to the second
terminal of the first resistor and a ground, a second terminal coupled to the first terminal of
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the detection current limiting resistor and a control terminal, and a second resistor having a
first terminal coupled to the control terminal of the second transistor and a second terminal
coupled to the second terminal of the first transistor.
Preferably, each of the first and the second non-conductive signal drivers includes a zener
diode having an anode and a cathode coupled to the first terminal of the detection current
limiting resistor, a third resistor having a first terminal coupled to the anode of the zener
diode and a second terminal, a third transistor having a first terminal coupled to the ground,
a second terminal and a control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the third resistor,
a fourth resistor having a first terminal receiving the supply voltage and a second terminal
coupled to the second terminal of the third transistor, a fifth resistor having a first terminal
coupled to the second terminal of the fourth resistor and a second terminal, a fourth
transistor having a first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal and a control
terminal coupled to the second terminal of the fifth resistor, and a sixth resistor having a
first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the fourth transistor and a second terminal
outputting one of the transferred first and the transferred second non-conductive signals.
Preferably, each of the first and the second non-conductive signal drivers includes a third
resistor having a first terminal coupled to the first terminal of the detection current limiting
resistor and a second terminal, a third transistor having a first terminal coupled to the
ground, a second terminal and a control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the third
resistor, a fourth resistor having a first terminal receiving the supply voltage and a second
terminal coupled to the second terminal of the third transistor, a fifth resistor having a first
terminal coupled to the second terminal of the fourth resistor and a second terminal, a
fourth transistor having a first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal and a
control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the fifth resistor, and a sixth resistor
having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the fourth transistor and a second
terminal outputting one of the transferred first and the transferred second non-conductive
signals.
Preferably, the back-to-back SCR circuit includes a first and a second SCRs each having a
cathode, the first non-conductive signal amplifier circuit is coupled to the cathode of the
first SCR, the second non-conductive signal amplifier circuit is coupled to the cathode of
the second SCR, and each of the first and the second non-conductive signal amplifier
circuits includes a signal bias resistor having a first terminal coupled to a DC supply
voltage for forming a non-conductive signal bias and a second terminal, a detection current
limiting resistor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the signal bias
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resistor for limiting a detection current flowing through the detection current limiting
resistor and a second terminal, a reverse blocking diode having an anode coupled to the
second terminal of the detection current limiting resistor and a cathode coupled to one of
the cathodes of the first and the second SCRs for preventing a reverse voltage thereof, and a
signal amplifier amplifying one of the first and the second non-conductive signals and
including an amplifying diode having an anode coupled to a ground and one of the
cathodes of the first and the second SCRs and a cathode coupled to the first terminal of the
detection current limiting resistor.
Preferably, each of the first and the second non-conductive signal drivers includes a zener
diode having an anode and a cathode coupled to the first terminal of the detection current
limiting resistor, a first resistor having a first terminal coupled to the anode of the zener
diode and a second terminal, a first transistor having a first terminal coupled to the ground,
a second terminal and a control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first resistor,
a second resistor having a first terminal receiving the supply voltage and a second terminal
coupled to the second terminal of the first transistor, a third resistor having a first terminal
coupled to the second terminal of the second resistor and a second terminal, a second
transistor having a first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal and a control
terminal coupled to the second terminal of the third resistor, and a fourth resistor having a
first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the second transistor and a second terminal
outputting one of the transferred first and the transferred second non-conductive signals.
Preferably, each of the first and the second non-conductive signal drivers includes a first
resistor having a first terminal coupled to the first terminal of the detection current limiting
resistor and a second terminal, a first transistor having a first terminal coupled to the
ground, a second terminal and a control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first
resistor, a second resistor having a first terminal receiving the supply voltage and a second
terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first transistor, a third resistor having a first
terminal coupled to the second terminal of the second resistor and a second terminal, a
second transistor having a first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal and a
control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the third resistor, and a fourth resistor
having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the second transistor and a second
terminal outputting one of the transferred first and the transferred second non-conductive
signals.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, a commutation failure detection
circuit for a back-to-back SCR circuit includes a first detecting signal generator coupled to
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the back-to-back SCR circuit for detecting a commutation at a negative half cycle of an AC
input voltage and including a first non-conductive signal amplifier circuit generating a first
non-conductive signal when the back-to-back SCR circuit is not conductive at the negative
half cycle of the AC input voltage, and including a first non-conductive signal amplifier
amplifying the first non-conductive signal, and a second detecting signal generator coupled
to the back-to-back SCR circuit for detecting the commutation at a positive half cycle of the
AC input voltage and including a second non-conductive signal amplifier circuit generating
a second non-conductive signal when the back-to-back SCR circuit is not conductive at the
positive half cycle of the AC input voltage, and including a second non-conductive signal
amplifier amplifying the second non-conductive signal.
Preferably, the commutation failure detection circuit further includes a first opto-coupler
driver circuit receiving, transferring and transmitting the first non-conductive signal for
generating a first commutation detecting signal at a first status when the first
non-conductive signal is absent and a second opto-coupler driver circuit receiving,
transferring and transmitting the second non-conductive signal for generating a second
commutation detecting signal at the first status when the second non-conductive signal is
absent and an output node coupled to the first and the second opto-coupler driver circuits
for outputting one of the first and the second commutation detecting signals, in which the
first commutation detecting signal is in a second status when the first non-conductive signal
is present, and the second commutation detecting signal is in the second status when the
second non-conductive signal is present.
Preferably, the first and the second statuses are a logic high and a logic low statuses
respectively, each of the first and the second non-conductive signal amplifier circuits
includes a detection current limiting resistor having a first terminal and a ground, and each
of the first and the second opto-coupler driver circuits includes a zener diode having an
anode and a cathode coupled to the first terminal of the detection current limiting resistor, a
third resistor having a first terminal coupled to the anode of the zener diode and a second
terminal, a third transistor having a first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal
and a control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the third resistor, a fourth resistor
having a first terminal receiving a DC supply voltage and a second terminal coupled to the
second terminal of the third transistor, a fifth resistor having a first terminal coupled to the
second terminal of the fourth resistor and a second terminal, a fourth transistor having a
first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal and a control terminal coupled to the
second terminal of the fifth resistor, a sixth resistor having a first terminal coupled to the
second terminal of the fourth transistor and a second terminal outputting one of the
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transferred first and the transferred second non-conductive signals, an opto-coupler having
two input terminals for receiving the supply voltage and receiving and transmitting one of
the transferred first and the transferred second non-conductive signals respectively, an
output terminal for outputting one of the transmitted and transferred first and the
transmitted and transferred second non-conductive signals and a ground terminal, and a
seventh resistor having a first terminal coupled to the outputting terminal for receiving one
of the transmitted and transferred first and the transmitted and transferred second
non-conductive signals and coupled to the outputting node for generating one of the first
and the second commutation detecting signals, and a second terminal receiving the supply
voltage for forming a conducting path via the ground terminal to output one of the first and
the second commutation detecting signals in the logic high status and forming one of the
first and the second commutation detecting signals in the logic low status respectively.
Preferably, the first and the second statuses are a logic high and a logic low statuses
respectively, each of the first and the second non-conductive signal amplifier circuits
includes a detection current limiting resistor having a first terminal and a ground, and each
of the first and the second opto-coupler driver circuits includes a third resistor having a first
terminal coupled to the first terminal of the detection current limiting resistor and a second
terminal, a third transistor having a first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal
and a control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the third resistor, a fourth resistor
having a first terminal receiving a DC supply voltage and a second terminal coupled to the
second terminal of the third transistor, a fifth resistor having a first terminal coupled to the
second terminal of the fourth resistor and a second terminal, a fourth transistor having a
first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal and a control terminal coupled to the
second terminal of the fifth resistor, a sixth resistor having a first terminal coupled to the
second terminal of the fourth transistor and a second terminal outputting one of the
transferred first and the transferred second non-conductive signals, an opto-coupler having
two input terminals for receiving the supply voltage and receiving and transmitting one of
the transferred first and the transferred second non-conductive signals respectively, an
output terminal for outputting one of the transmitted and transferred first and the
transmitted and transferred second non-conductive signals and a ground terminal, and a
seventh resistor having a first terminal coupled to the outputting terminal for receiving one
of the transmitted and transferred first and the transmitted and transferred second
non-conductive signals and coupled to the outputting node for generating one of the first
and the second commutation detecting signals, and a second terminal receiving the supply
voltage for forming a conducting path via the ground terminal to output one of the first and
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the second commutation detecting signals in the logic high status and forming one of the
first and the second commutation detecting signals in the logic low status respectively.
Preferably, the first and the second statuses are a logic high and a logic low statuses
respectively, each of the first and the second non-conductive signal amplifier circuits
includes a detection current limiting resistor having a first terminal and a ground, and each
of the first and the second opto-coupler driver circuits includes a zener diode having an
anode and a cathode coupled to the first terminal of the detection current limiting resistor, a
first resistor having a first terminal coupled to the anode of the zener diode and a second
terminal, a first transistor having a first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal
and a control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first resistor, a second resistor
having a first terminal receiving a DC supply voltage and a second terminal coupled to the
second terminal of the first transistor, a third resistor having a first terminal coupled to the
second terminal of the second resistor and a second terminal, a second transistor having a
first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal and a control terminal coupled to the
second terminal of the third resistor, a fourth resistor having a first terminal coupled to the
second terminal of the second transistor and a second terminal outputting one of the
transferred first and the transferred second non-conductive signals, an opto-coupler having
two input terminals for receiving the supply voltage and receiving and transmitting one of
the transferred first and the transferred second non-conductive signals respectively, an
output terminal for outputting one of the transmitted and transferred first and the
transmitted and transferred second non-conductive signals and a ground terminal, and a
fifth resistor having a first terminal coupled to the outputting terminal for receiving one of
the transmitted and transferred first and the transmitted and transferred second
non-conductive signals and coupled to the outputting node for generating one of the first
and the second commutation detecting signals, and a second terminal receiving the supply
voltage for forming a conducting path via the ground terminal to output one of the first and
the second commutation detecting signals in the logic high status and forming one of the
first and the second commutation detecting signals in the logic low status respectively.
Preferably, the first and the second statuses are a logic high and a logic low statuses
respectively, each of the first and the second non-conductive signal amplifier circuits
includes a detection current limiting resistor having a first terminal and a ground, and each
of the first and the second opto-coupler driver circuits includes a first resistor having a first
terminal coupled to the first terminal of the detection current limiting resistor and a second
terminal, a first transistor having a first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal
and a control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first resistor, a second resistor
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having a first terminal receiving a DC supply voltage and a second terminal coupled to the
second terminal of the first transistor, a third resistor having a first terminal coupled to the
second terminal of the second resistor and a second terminal, a second transistor having a
first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal and a control terminal coupled to the
second terminal of the third resistor, a fourth resistor having a first terminal coupled to the
second terminal of the second transistor and a second terminal outputting one of the
transferred first and the transferred second non-conductive signals, an opto-coupler having
two input terminals for receiving the supply voltage and receiving and transmitting one of
the transferred first and the transferred second non-conductive signals respectively, an
output terminal for outputting one of the transmitted and transferred first and the
transmitted and transferred second non-conductive signals and a ground terminal, and a
fifth resistor having a first terminal coupled to the outputting terminal for receiving one of
the transmitted and transferred first and the transmitted and transferred second
non-conductive signals and coupled to the outputting node for generating one of the first
and the second commutation detecting signals, and a second terminal receiving the supply
voltage for forming a conducting path via the ground terminal to output one of the first and
the second commutation detecting signals in the logic high status and forming one of the
first and the second commutation detecting signals in the logic low status respectively.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, a commutation failure detection
circuit for a back-to-back SCR circuit includes a first detecting signal generator coupled to
the back-to-back SCR circuit for detecting a commutation at a negative half cycle of an AC
input voltage, and including a first non-conductive signal amplifier circuit generating a first
non-conductive signal when the back-to-back SCR circuit is not conductive at the negative
half cycle of the AC input voltage, and including a first non-conductive signal amplifier
amplifying the first non-conductive signal.
Preferably, the commutation failure detection circuit further includes a second detecting
signal generator coupled to the back-to-back SCR circuit for detecting the commutation at a
positive half cycle of the AC input voltage, and including a second non-conductive signal
amplifier circuit generating a second non-conductive signal when the back-to-back SCR
circuit is not conductive at the positive half cycle of the AC input voltage, and including a
second non-conductive signal amplifier amplifying the second non-conductive signal, a
first opto-coupler driver circuit receiving, transferring and transmitting the first
non-conductive signal for generating a first commutation detecting signal at a first status
when the first non-conductive signal is absent, a second opto-coupler driver circuit
receiving, transferring and transmitting the second non-conductive signal for generating a
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second commutation detecting signal at the first status when the second non-conductive
signal is absent and an output node coupled to the first and the second opto-coupler driver
circuits for outputting one of the first and the second commutation detecting signals, in
which the first commutation detecting signal is in a second status when the first
non-conductive signal is present, and the second commutation detecting signal is in the
second status when the second non-conductive signal is present.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a controlling method for a
commutation failure detection circuit of a back-to-back SCR circuit, in which the
back-to-back SCR circuit includes a first and a second SCRs each having a cathode, and the
commutation failure detection circuit includes a first and a second non-conductive signal
amplifier circuits coupled to cathodes of the first and the second SCRs respectively, a first
and a second non-conductive signal drivers coupled to the first and the second
non-conductive signal amplifier circuits respectively and a first and a second
non-conductive signal isolators coupled to the first and the second non-conductive signal
drivers respectively, includes the steps of: (a) causing a forward voltage to present across
the first and the second SCRs; (b) causing the second non-conductive signal amplifier
circuit to be turned on so as to turn on the second non-conductive signal driver such that the
second non-conductive signal isolator outputs a commutation detecting signal having a first
status when a first potential voltage of the cathode of the first SCR is higher than a second
potential voltage of the cathode of the second SCR, neither of the first and the second SCRs
is conducting and it is during a positive half cycle of an AC input voltage of the first and the
second SCRs; and (c) causing the second non-conductive signal amplifier circuit to be
turned off so as to turn off the second non-conductive signal driver such that the second
non-conductive signal isolator outputs the commutation selecting signal having a second
status when a difference between the first potential voltage and the second potential voltage
equals to the forward voltage, one of the first and the second SCRs is conducting and it is
during the positive half cycle of the AC input voltage.
Preferably, the first and the second statuses are a logic low and a logic high statuses
respectively, the controlling method further includes the steps of: (d) causing the first
non-conductive signal amplifier circuit to be turned on so as to turn on the first
non-conductive signal driver such that the first non-conductive signal isolator outputs the
commutation detecting signal having the logic low status when the second potential voltage
is higher than the first potential voltage, both of the first and the second SCRs are not
conducting and it is during a negative half cycle of the AC input voltage; and (e) causing the
first non-conductive signal amplifier circuit to be turned off so as to turn off the first
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non-conductive signal driver such that the first non-conductive signal isolator outputs the
commutation detecting signal having the logic high status when a difference between the
second potential voltage and the first potential voltage equals to the forward voltage, one of
the first and the second SCRs is conducting and it is during the negative half cycle of the AC
input voltage.
Preferably, the first non-conductive signal amplifier circuit includes a first and a second
transistors, the first non-conductive signal driver includes a third and a fourth transistors,
the first non-conductive signal isolator includes an opto-coupler having two input terminals,
and the step (d) further includes the steps of: (d1) causing the first transistor to be turned on
so as to bias the second transistor to be turned on due to that the second potential voltage is
higher than the first potential voltage; and (d2) causing the third transistor to be turned off
and the two input terminals and the fourth transistor to form a conducting path such that the
opto-coupler outputs the commutation signal having the logic low status, in which the step
(e) further includes the steps of: (el) causing the first transistor to be turned off so as to turn
off the second transistor due to that the difference between the second potential voltage and
the first potential voltage equals to the forward voltage; and (e2) causing the third transistor
to be turned on, the fourth transistor to have a zero base current, and the two input terminals
to form an open circuit such that the opto-coupler outputs the commutation signal having
the logic high status.
Preferably, the first status is a logic low status, the second non-conductive signal amplifier
circuit includes a first and a second transistors, the second non-conductive signal driver
includes a third and a fourth transistors, the second non-conductive signal isolator includes
an opto-coupler having two input terminals, and the step (b) further includes the steps of:
(bl) causing the first transistor to be turned on so as to bias the second transistor to be
turned on due to that the first potential voltage is higher than the second potential voltage;
and (b2) causing the third transistor to be turned off and the two input terminals and the
fourth transistor to form a conducting path such that the opto-coupler outputs the
commutation signal having the logic low status.
Preferably, the second status is a logic high status, the step (c) further includes the steps of:
(cl) causing the first transistor to be turned off so as to turn off the second transistor due to
that a difference between the first potential voltage and the second potential voltage equals
to the forward voltage; and (c2) causing the third transistor to be turned on, the fourth
transistor to have a zero base current, and the two input terminals to form an open circuit
such that the opto-coupler outputs the commutation signal having the logic high status.
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The present invention may best be understood through the following descriptions with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 shows a schematic circuit diagram of a conventional tap changing transformer;
Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of a conventional commutation failure detection circuit using
bridge and opto-coupler for a back-to-back SCR circuit;
Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of a conventional commutation failure detection circuit using
opto-couplers for a back-to-back SCR circuit;
Fig. 4 shows a circuit diagram of a commutation failure detection circuit for a back-to-back
SCR circuit according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 5 shows a circuit diagram of a commutation failure detection circuit for a back-to-back
SCR circuit according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 6 shows a waveform diagram of voltage across SCR, current flowing through SCR and
control signal at the collector of T7 as shown in Fig. 4 vs. time according to the first
preferred embodiment of the present invention respectively; and
Fig. 7 shows a waveform diagram of voltage across SCR, current flowing through SCR and
control signal at the cathode of D2 as shown in Fig. 5 vs. time according to the second
preferred embodiment of the present invention respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Please refer to Fig. 4, which shows a circuit diagram of a commutation failure detection
circuit for a back-to-back SCR circuit according to the first preferred embodiment of the
present invention. The provided commutation failure detection circuit for a back-to-back
SCR circuit according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention 1 includes
a first detecting signal generator coupled to a cathode of a first SCR of a SCR pair of the
back-to-back SCR circuit (not shown) at connector K2 for detecting a commutation at a
negative half cycle of an AC input voltage and including a first non-conductive signal
14

amplifier circuit 11 for generating a first non-conductive signal when the back-to-back
SCR circuit is not conductive at the negative half cycle of the AC input voltage, a first
non-conductive signal driver 13 for receiving and transferring the first non-conductive
signal, and a first non-conductive signal isolator including a first opto-coupler Ul and a
resistor R9 for receiving the transferred first non-conductive signal and generating a first
commutation detecting signal at a logic high status when the first non-conductive signal is
absent, a second detecting signal generator coupled to the cathode of the second SCR of the
back-to-back SCR circuit at connector K1 for detecting the commutation at a positive half
cycle of the AC input voltage and including a second non-conductive signal amplifier
circuit 12 for generating a second non-conductive signal when the back-to-back SCR
circuit is not conductive at the positive half cycle of the AC input voltage, a second
non-conductive signal driver 14 for receiving and transferring the second non-conductive
signal and a second non-conductive signal isolator including a second opto-coupler U2 and
a resistor R l8 for receiving the transferred second non-conductive signal and generating a
second commutation detecting signal at the logic high status when the second
non-conductive signal is absent, and an output node (connected to the connector "To
Micro") coupled to the first and the second non-conductive signal isolators for outputting
one of the first and the second commutation detecting signals.
In which, the first non-conductive signal amplifier circuit 11 includes a signal bias resistor
R4, a detection current limiting resistor R5, a reverse blocking diode D3 and a signal
amplifier 111 including a first stage having a transistor T1 and a resistor Rl1, and a second
stage having a transistor T3 and a resistor R10. The second non-conductive signal
amplifier circuit 12 includes a signal bias resistor R13, a detection current limiting resistor
R14, a reverse blocking diode D5 and a signal amplifier 121 including a first stage having a
transistor T5 and a resistor R20, and a second stage having a transistor T7 and a resistor
R19. The first non-conductive signal driver 13 includes a zener diode D4 (which is an
option and could be omitted in a different preferred embodiment), a resistor R12, a
transistor T4, a resistor R6, a resistor R7, a transistor T2, and a resistor R8. And the
second non-conductive signal driver 14 includes a zener diode D6 (which is also an option
and could be omitted in another preferred embodiment), a resistor R21, a transistor T8, a
resistor R15, a resistor R16, a transistor T6, and a resistor R17.
Assume that the first SCR of the SCR pair of the back-to-back SCR circuit (not shown) is
triggered at some firing angle in the positive half cycle of the AC input voltage (not shown)
of the back-to-back SCR circuit. Then a forward voltage is present across the SCR pair
until any one of the SCR pair starts conducting.
15

During the positive half cycle, a potential voltage at terminal K2 is grater than that of K1.
This positive potential turns the transistor T5 on which then biases the transistor T7 on.
Therefore, the total voltage is applied across the parallel combination of resistors R14, R19
and R20, and the collector of the transistor T7 is pulled down to ground. During this period,
the transistor T8 is off. The opto-diode of U2 conducts through the transistor T6, which
switches the opto-coupler (U2) output to logic low.
During the SCR conducting period, a potential difference between the terminals K2 & Kl is
equal to the SCR forward voltage drop. This voltage is very small, so the transistors T5 &
T7 are switched off. A DC supply (Vcc2, +5V) drives the transistor T8 on and turns the
transistor T6 off. Therefore, opto-diode of U2 is open-circuited during this period and its
output is logical high.
During a negative half cycle of the AC input voltage, a similar analysis is valid for the upper
half of the commutation failure detection circuit for a back-to-back SCR circuit according to
the first preferred embodiment of the present invention 1 (with a DC supply of Vcc1, +5V).
In this circuit, the blocking voltage during SCR off condition is used to drive one transistor
on which in turn amplifies the signal to turn on the second stage transistor. Therefore, the
current flowing through the current limiting resistors is not directly involved to get the
commutation information. As a result, the commutation of the SCR can be sensed with
very little delay.
Please refer to Fig. 5, which shows a circuit diagram of a commutation failure detection
circuit for a back-to-back SCR circuit according to the second preferred embodiment of the
present invention. The provided commutation failure detection circuit for a back-to-back
SCR circuit according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention 2
includes a first detecting signal generator coupled to the cathode of the first SCR of the
back-to-back SCR circuit (not shown) at connector K2 for detecting a commutation at a
negative half cycle of an AC input voltage and including a first non-conductive signal
amplifier circuit 21 for generating a first non-conductive signal when the back-to-back
SCR circuit is not conductive at the negative half cycle of the AC input voltage, a first
non-conductive signal driver 13 for receiving and transferring the first non-conductive
signal, and a first non-conductive signal isolator including a first opto-coupler U1 and a
resistor R9 for receiving the transferred first non-conductive signal and generating a first
commutation detecting signal at a logic high status when the first non-conductive signal is
16

absent, a second detecting signal generator coupled to the cathode of the second SCR of the
back-to-back SCR circuit at connector Kl for detecting the commutation at a positive half
cycle of the AC input voltage and including a second non-conductive signal amplifier
circuit 22 for generating a second non-conductive signal when the back-to-back SCR
circuit is not conductive at the positive half cycle of the AC input voltage, a second
non-conductive signal driver 14 for receiving and transferring the second non-conductive
signal and a second non-conductive signal isolator including a second opto-coupler U2 and
a resistor R18 for receiving the transferred second non-conductive signal and generating a
second commutation detecting signal at the logic high status when the second
non-conductive signal is absent, and an output node (connected to the connector "To
Micro") coupled to the first and the second non-conductive signal isolators for outputting
one of the first and the second commutation detecting signals.
In Fig. 5, the first non-conductive signal amplifier circuit 21 includes a signal bias resistor
R4, a detection current limiting resistor R5, a reverse blocking diode D3 and a signal
amplifier including a diode Dl. The second non-conductive signal amplifier circuit 22
includes a signal bias resistor R13, a detection current limiting resistor R14, a reverse
blocking diode D5 and a signal amplifier including a diode D2. The first non-conductive
signal driver 13 and the second non-conductive signal driver 14 are the same as those of
Fig. 4.
Also assume that the first SCR of a SCR pair of the back-to-back SCR circuit (not shown) is
triggered at some firing angle in the positive half cycle of the AC input voltage (not shown)
of the back-to-back SCR circuit. Then a forward voltage is present across the SCR pair
until any one of the SCR pair starts conducting.
During the positive half cycle, the potential voltage at terminal K2 is grater than that of Kl.
This positive potential turns the diode D2 on. Therefore, the total voltage is applied across
the resistor R14. During this period, the transistor T8 is off. The opto-diode of U2
conducts through the transistor T6, which switches the opto-coupler (U2) output to logic
low.
During the SCR conducting period, a potential difference between the terminals K2 & Kl is
equal to the SCR forward voltage drop. This voltage is very small, so the diode D2 is
switched off. A DC supply (Vcc2, +5V) drives the transistor T8 on and turns the transistor
T6 off. Therefore, opto-diode of U2 is open-circuited during this period and its output is
logical high.
17

During a negative half cycle of the AC voltage, a similar analysis is also valid for the upper
half of the commutation failure detection circuit for a back-to-back SCR circuit according to
the second preferred embodiment of the present invention 2 (with a DC supply of Vcc1,
+5V).
Basically, the commutation failure detection circuit according to the second preferred
embodiment of the present invention 2 has a relatively simpler configuration than the
commutation failure detection circuit according to the first preferred embodiment of the
present invention 1 since the signal amplifiers 111 and 121 are replaced by diodes Dl and
D2. But the delay at zero current cross of the commutation failure detection circuit
according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention 2 is relatively a little
bit longer than that of the commutation failure detection circuit according to the first
preferred embodiment of the present invention 1.
To show this, a test is conducted on a single SCR with a load of 60W incandescent bulb +
40W fluorescent tube and the I/P Voltage is 240V AC. Please refer to Fig. 6, which shows
a waveform diagram of voltage across SCR, current flowing through SCR and control
signal at the collector of T7 as that of Fig. 4 vs. time according to the first preferred
embodiment of the present invention respectively. In Fig. 7, it shows a waveform diagram
of voltage across SCR, current flowing through SCR and control signal at the cathode of D2
as that of Fig. 5 vs. time according to the second preferred embodiment of the present
invention respectively. Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, Ch1 represents the waveform of voltage
across SCR, Ch2 represents the waveform of current flowing through SCR, and Ch3
represents the waveform of control signal at the collector of T7 or cathode of D2 as those of
Figs. 4 and 5 respectively. In Fig. 7, there is a relatively more significant delay between
current zero cross and the control single being triggered. In Fig. 6, however, the delay is
relatively much more insignificant.
In conclusion, the provided commutation failure detection circuit and the controlling
method thereof have the advantages of minimizing the delay present in commutation failure
detection of the back-to-back SCR circuit.
While the invention has been described in terms of what are presently considered to be the
most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention need not
be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various
modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended
18

claims, which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such
modifications and similar structures. Therefore, the above description and illustration
should not be taken as limiting the scope of the present invention which is defined by the
appended claims.
19

WE CLAIM;
1. A commutation failure detection circuit for a back-to-back silicon controlled rectifier
(SCR) circuit, comprising:
a first detecting signal generator coupled to the back-to-back SCR circuit for detecting
a commutation at a negative half cycle of an AC input voltage, comprising:
a first non-conductive signal amplifier circuit generating a first non-conductive
signal when the back-to-back SCR circuit is not conductive at the negative half cycle of the
AC input voltage;
a first non-conductive signal driver receiving and transferring the first
non-conductive signal; and
a first non-conductive signal isolator receiving the transferred first non-conductive
signal for generating a first commutation detecting signal at a first status when the first
non-conductive signal is absent; and
a second detecting signal generator coupled to the back-to-back SCR circuit for
detecting the commutation at a positive half cycle of the AC input voltage, comprising:
a second non-conductive signal amplifier circuit generating a second
non-conductive signal when the back-to-back SCR circuit is not conductive at the positive
half cycle of the AC input voltage;
a second non-conductive signal driver receiving and transferring the second
non-conductive signal; and
a second non-conductive signal isolator receiving the transferred second
non-conductive signal for generating a second commutation detecting signal at the first
status when the second non-conductive signal is absent.
2. A detection circuit according to Claim 1, further comprising an output node coupled to
the first and the second non-conductive signal isolators for outputting one of the first and
the second commutation detecting signals, wherein the first commutation detecting signal
is in a second status when the first non-conductive signal is present, and the second
commutation detecting signal is in the second status when the second non-conductive
signal is present.
20

3. A detection circuit according to Claim 2, wherein the first and the second statuses are a
logic high and a logic low statuses respectively, each of the first and the second
non-conductive signal isolators comprises:
an opto-coupler having two input terminals for receiving a DC supply voltage and
receiving and transmitting one of the transferred first and the transferred second
non-conductive signals respectively, an output terminal for outputting one of the
transmitted and transferred first and the transmitted and transferred second non-conductive
signals and a ground terminal; and
a first resistor having a first terminal coupled to the outputting terminal for receiving
one of the transmitted and transferred first and the transmitted and transferred second
non-conductive signals and coupled to the outputting node for generating one of the first
and the second commutation detecting signals, and a second terminal receiving a supply
voltage for forming a conducting path via the ground terminal to output one of the first and
the second commutation detecting signals in the logic high status and forming the first and
the second commutation detecting signals in the logic low status respectively.
4. A detection circuit according to Claim 1, wherein the back-to-back SCR circuit
comprises a first and a second SCRs each having a cathode, the first non-conductive signal
amplifier circuit is coupled to the cathode of the first SCR, the second non-conductive
signal amplifier circuit is coupled to the cathode of the second SCR, and each of the first
and the second non-conductive signal amplifier circuits comprises:
a signal bias resistor having a first terminal coupled to a DC supply voltage for
forming a non-conductive signal bias and a second terminal;
a detection current limiting resistor having a first terminal coupled to the second
terminal of the signal bias resistor for limiting a detection current flowing through the
detection current limiting resistor and a second terminal;
a reverse blocking diode having an anode coupled to the second terminal of the
detection current limiting resistor and a cathode coupled to one of the cathodes of the first
and the second SCRs for preventing a reverse voltage thereof; and
a signal amplifier amplifying one of the first and the second non-conductive signals,
comprising:
a first stage, comprising:
21

a first transistor having a first terminal coupled to the anode of the reverse
blocking diode, a second terminal and a control terminal; and
a first resistor having a first terminal coupled to the control terminal of the first
transistor and a second terminal coupled to one of the cathodes of the first and the second
SCRs; and
a second stage, comprising:
a second transistor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the
first resistor and a ground, a second terminal coupled to the first terminal of the detection
current limiting resistor and a control terminal; and
a second resistor having a first terminal coupled to the control terminal of the
second transistor and a second terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first
transistor.
5. A detection circuit according to Claim 4, wherein each of the first and the second
non-conductive signal drivers comprises:
a zener diode having an anode and a cathode coupled to the first terminal of the
detection current limiting resistor;
a third resistor having a first terminal coupled to the anode of the zener diode and a
second terminal;
a third transistor having a first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal and a
control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the third resistor;
a fourth resistor having a first terminal receiving the supply voltage and a second
terminal coupled to the second terminal of the third transistor;
a fifth resistor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the fourth
resistor and a second terminal;
a fourth transistor having a first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal and
a control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the fifth resistor, and
a sixth resistor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the fourth
transistor and a second terminal outputting one of the transferred first and the transferred
second non-conductive signals.
6. A detection circuit according to Claim 4, wherein each of the first and the second
non-conductive signal drivers comprises:
22

a third resistor having a first terminal coupled to the first terminal of the detection
current limiting resistor and a second terminal;
a third transistor having a first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal and a
control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the third resistor;
a fourth resistor having a first terminal receiving the supply voltage and a second
terminal coupled to the second terminal of the third transistor;
a fifth resistor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the fourth
resistor and a second terminal;
a fourth transistor having a first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal and
a control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the fifth resistor; and
a sixth resistor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the fourth
transistor and a second terminal outputting one of the transferred first and the transferred
second non-conductive signals.
7. A detection circuit according to Claim 1, wherein the back-to-back SCR circuit
comprises a first and a second SCRs each having a cathode, the first non-conductive signal
amplifier circuit is coupled to the cathode of the first SCR, the second non-conductive
signal amplifier circuit is coupled to the cathode of the second SCR, and each of the first
and the second non-conductive signal amplifier circuits comprises:
a signal bias resistor having a first terminal coupled to a DC supply voltage for
forming a non-conductive signal bias and a second terminal;
a detection current limiting resistor having a first terminal coupled to the second
terminal of the signal bias resistor for limiting a detection current flowing through the
detection current limiting resistor and a second terminal;
a reverse blocking diode having an anode coupled to the second terminal of the
detection current limiting resistor and a cathode coupled to one of the cathodes of the first
and the second SCRs for preventing a reverse voltage thereof; and
a signal amplifier amplifying one of the first and the second non-conductive signals
and comprising an amplifying diode having an anode coupled to a ground and one of the
cathodes of the first and the second SCRs and a cathode coupled to the first terminal of the
detection current limiting resistor.
23

8. A detection circuit according to Claim 7, wherein each of the first and the second
non-conductive signal drivers comprises:
a zener diode having an anode and a cathode coupled to the first terminal of the
detection current limiting resistor;
a first resistor having a first terminal coupled to the anode of the zener diode and a
second terminal;
a first transistor having a first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal and a
control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first resistor;
a second resistor having a first terminal receiving the supply voltage and a second
terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first transistor;
a third resistor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the second
resistor and a second terminal;
a second transistor having a first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal
and a control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the third resistor; and
a fourth resistor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the second
transistor and a second terminal outputting one of the transferred first and the transferred
second non-conductive signals.
9. A detection circuit according to Claim 7, wherein each of the first and the second
non-conductive signal drivers comprises:
a first resistor having a first terminal coupled to the first terminal of the detection
current limiting resistor and a second terminal;
a first transistor having a first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal and a
control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first resistor;
a second resistor having a first terminal receiving the supply voltage and a second
terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first transistor;
a third resistor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the second
resistor and a second terminal;
a second transistor having a first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal
and a control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the third resistor; and
a fourth resistor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the second
transistor and a second terminal outputting one of the transferred first and the transferred
second non-conductive signals.
24

10. A commutation failure detection circuit for a back-to-back SCR circuit, comprising:
a first detecting signal generator coupled to the back-to-back SCR circuit for detecting
a commutation at a negative half cycle of an AC input voltage, comprising:
a first non-conductive signal amplifier circuit generating a first non-conductive signal
when the back-to-back SCR circuit is not conductive at the negative half cycle of the AC
input voltage, and comprising a first non-conductive signal amplifier amplifying the first
non-conductive signal; and
a second detecting signal generator coupled to the back-to-back SCR circuit for
detecting the commutation at a positive half cycle of the AC input voltage, comprising:
a second non-conductive signal amplifier circuit generating a second
non-conductive signal when the back-to-back SCR circuit is not conductive at the positive
half cycle of the AC input voltage, and comprising a second non-conductive signal
amplifier amplifying the second non-conductive signal.
11. A detection circuit according to Claim 10, further comprising a first opto-coupler driver
circuit receiving, transferring and transmitting the first non-conductive signal for
generating a first commutation detecting signal at a first status when the first
non-conductive signal is absent and a second opto-coupler driver circuit receiving,
transferring and transmitting the second non-conductive signal for generating a second
commutation detecting signal at the first status when the second non-conductive signal is
absent and an output node coupled to the first and the second opto-coupler driver circuits
for outputting one of the first and the second commutation detecting signals, wherein the
first commutation detecting signal is in a second status when the first non-conductive signal
is present, and the second commutation detecting signal is in the second status when the
second non-conductive signal is present.
12. A detection circuit according to Claim 11, wherein the first and the second statuses are a
logic high and a logic low statuses respectively, the first and the second non-conductive
signal amplifier circuits are the first and the second non-conductive signal amplifier circuits
as claimed in Claim 4, each of the first and the second non-conductive signal amplifier
circuits comprises a detection current limiting resistor having a first terminal and a ground,
and each of the first and the second opto-coupler driver circuits comprises:
25

a zener diode having an anode and a cathode coupled to the first terminal of the
detection current limiting resistor;
a third resistor having a first terminal coupled to the anode of the zener diode and a
second terminal;
a third transistor having a first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal and a
control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the third resistor;
a fourth resistor having a first terminal receiving a DC supply voltage and a second
terminal coupled to the second terminal of the third transistor;
a fifth resistor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the fourth
resistor and a second terminal;
a fourth transistor having a first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal and
a control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the fifth resistor;
a sixth resistor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the fourth
transistor and a second terminal outputting one of the transferred first and the transferred
second non-conductive signals;
an opto-coupler having two input terminals for receiving the supply voltage and
receiving and transmitting one of the transferred first and the transferred second
non-conductive signals respectively, an output terminal for outputting one of the
transmitted and transferred first and the transmitted and transferred second non-conductive
signals and a ground terminal; and
a seventh resistor having a first terminal coupled to the outputting terminal for
receiving one of the transmitted and transferred first and the transmitted and transferred
second non-conductive signals and coupled to the outputting node for generating one of the
first and the second commutation detecting signals, and a second terminal receiving the
supply voltage for forming a conducting path via the ground terminal to output one of the
first and the second commutation detecting signals in the logic high status and forming one
of the first and the second commutation detecting signals in the logic low status
respectively.
13. A detection circuit according to Claim 11, wherein the first and the second statuses are a
logic high and a logic low statuses respectively, the first and the second non-conductive
signal amplifier circuits are the first and the second non-conductive signal amplifier circuits
as claimed in Claim 4, each of the first and the second non-conductive signal amplifier
26

circuits comprises a detection current limiting resistor having a first terminal and a ground,
and each of the first and the second opto-coupler driver circuits comprises:
a third resistor having a first terminal coupled to the first terminal of the detection
current limiting resistor and a second terminal;
a third transistor having a first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal and a
control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the third resistor;
a fourth resistor having a first terminal receiving a DC supply voltage and a second
terminal coupled to the second terminal of the third transistor;
a fifth resistor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the fourth
resistor and a second terminal;
a fourth transistor having a first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal and
a control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the fifth resistor;
a sixth resistor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the fourth
transistor and a second terminal outputting one of the transferred first and the transferred
second non-conductive signals;
an opto-coupler having two input terminals for receiving the supply voltage and
receiving and transmitting one of the transferred first and the transferred second
non-conductive signals respectively, an output terminal for outputting one of the
transmitted and transferred first and the transmitted and transferred second non-conductive
signals and a ground terminal; and
a seventh resistor having a first terminal coupled to the outputting terminal for
receiving one of the transmitted and transferred first and the transmitted and transferred
second non-conductive signals and coupled to the outputting node for generating one of the
first and the second commutation detecting signals, and a second terminal receiving the
supply voltage for forming a conducting path via the ground terminal to output one of the
first and the second commutation detecting signals in the logic high status and forming one
of the first and the second commutation detecting signals in the logic low status
respectively.
14. A detection circuit according to Claim 11, wherein the first and the second statuses are a
logic high and a logic low statuses respectively, the first and the second non-conductive
signal amplifier circuits are the first and the second non-conductive signal amplifier circuits
as claimed in Claim 7, each of the first and the second non-conductive signal amplifier
27

circuits comprises a detection current limiting resistor having a first terminal and a ground,
and each of the first and the second opto-coupler driver circuits comprises:
a zener diode having an anode and a cathode coupled to the first terminal of the
detection current limiting resistor;
a first resistor having a first terminal coupled to the anode of the zener diode and a
second terminal;
a first transistor having a first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal and a
control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first resistor;
a second resistor having a first terminal receiving a DC supply voltage and a second
terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first transistor;
a third resistor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the second
resistor and a second terminal;
a second transistor having a first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal
and a control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the third resistor;
a fourth resistor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the second
transistor and a second terminal outputting one of the transferred first and the transferred
second non-conductive signals;
an opto-coupler having two input terminals for receiving the supply voltage and
receiving and transmitting one of the transferred first and the transferred second
non-conductive signals respectively, an output terminal for outputting one of the
transmitted and transferred first and the transmitted and transferred second non-conductive
signals and a ground terminal; and
a fifth resistor having a first terminal coupled to the outputting terminal for receiving
one of the transmitted and transferred first and the transmitted and transferred second
non-conductive signals and coupled to the outputting node for generating one of the first
and the second commutation detecting signals, and a second terminal receiving the supply
voltage for forming a conducting path via the ground terminal to output one of the first and
the second commutation detecting signals in the logic high status and forming one of the
first and the second commutation detecting signals in the logic low status respectively.
15. A detection circuit according to Claim 11, wherein the first and the second statuses are a
logic high and a logic low statuses respectively, the first and the second non-conductive
signal amplifier circuits are the first and the second non-conductive signal amplifier circuits
28

as claimed in Claim 7, each of the first and the second non-conductive signal amplifier
circuits comprises a detection current limiting resistor having a first terminal and a ground,
and each of the first and the second opto-coupler driver circuits comprises:
a first resistor having a first terminal coupled to the first terminal of the detection
current limiting resistor and a second terminal;
a first transistor having a first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal and a
control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first resistor;
a second resistor having a first terminal receiving a DC supply voltage and a second
terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first transistor;
a third resistor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the second
resistor and a second terminal;
a second transistor having a first terminal coupled to the ground, a second terminal
and a control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the third resistor;
a fourth resistor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the second
transistor and a second terminal outputting one of the transferred first and the transferred
second non-conductive signals;
an opto-coupler having two input terminals for receiving the supply voltage and
receiving and transmitting one of the transferred first and the transferred second
non-conductive signals respectively, an output terminal for outputting one of the
transmitted and transferred first and the transmitted and transferred second non-conductive
signals and a ground terminal; and
a fifth resistor having a first terminal coupled to the outputting terminal for receiving
one of the transmitted and transferred first and the transmitted and transferred second
non-conductive signals and coupled to the outputting node for generating one of the first
and the second commutation detecting signals, and a second terminal receiving the supply
voltage for forming a conducting path via the ground terminal to output one of the first and
the second commutation detecting signals in the logic high status and forming one of the
first and the second commutation detecting signals in the logic low status respectively.
16. A commutation failure detection circuit for a back-to-back SCR circuit, comprising a
first detecting signal generator coupled to the back-to-back SCR circuit for detecting a
commutation at a negative half cycle of an AC input voltage, and including a first
non-conductive signal amplifier circuit generating a first non-conductive signal when the
29

back-to-back SCR circuit is not conductive at the negative half cycle of the AC input
voltage, and including a first non-conductive signal amplifier amplifying the first
non-conductive signal.
17. A detection circuit according to Claim 16, further comprising a second detecting signal
generator coupled to the back-to-back SCR circuit for detecting the commutation at a
positive half cycle of the AC input voltage, and comprising a second non-conductive signal
amplifier circuit generating a second non-conductive signal when the back-to-back SCR
circuit is not conductive at the positive half cycle of the AC input voltage, and comprising a
second non-conductive signal amplifier amplifying the second non-conductive signal, a
first opto-coupler driver circuit receiving, transferring and transmitting the first
non-conductive signal for generating a first commutation detecting signal at a first status
when the first non-conductive signal is absent, a second opto-coupler driver circuit
receiving, transferring and transmitting the second non-conductive signal for generating a
second commutation detecting signal at the first status when the second non-conductive
signal is absent and an output node coupled to the first and the second opto-coupler driver
circuits for outputting one of the first and the second commutation detecting signals,
wherein the first commutation detecting signal is in a second status when the first
non-conductive signal is present, and the second commutation detecting signal is in the
second status when the second non-conductive signal is present.
18. A controlling method for a commutation failure detection circuit of a back-to-back SCR
circuit, wherein the back-to-back SCR circuit comprises a first and a second SCRs each
having a cathode, and the commutation failure detection circuit comprises a first and a
second non-conductive signal amplifier circuits coupled to cathodes of the first and the
second SCRs respectively, a first and a second non-conductive signal drivers coupled to the
first and the second non-conductive signal amplifier circuits respectively and a first and a
second non-conductive signal isolators coupled to the first and the second non-conductive
signal drivers respectively, comprising the steps of:

(a) causing a forward voltage to present across the first and the second SCRs;
(b) causing the second non-conductive signal amplifier circuit to be turned on so as to
turn on the second non-conductive signal driver such that the second non-conductive signal
isolator outputs a commutation detecting signal having a first status when a first potential
30

voltage of the cathode of the first SCR is higher than a second potential voltage of the
cathode of the second SCR, neither of the first and the second SCRs is conducting and it is
during a positive half cycle of an AC input voltage of the first and the second SCRs; and
(c) causing the second non-conductive signal amplifier circuit to be turned off so as to
turn off the second non-conductive signal driver such that the second non-conductive signal
isolator outputs the commutation selecting signal having a second status when a difference
between the first potential voltage and the second potential voltage equals to the forward
voltage, one of the first and the second SCRs is conducting and it is during the positive half
cycle of the AC input voltage.
19. A controlling method according to Claim 18, wherein the first and the second statuses
are a logic low and a logic high statuses respectively, further comprising the steps of:
(d) causing the first non-conductive signal amplifier circuit to be turned on so as to
turn on the first non-conductive signal driver such that the first non-conductive signal
isolator outputs the commutation detecting signal having the logic low status when the
second potential voltage is higher than the first potential voltage, both of the first and the
second SCRs are not conducting and it is during a negative half cycle of the AC input
voltage; and
(e) causing the first non-conductive signal amplifier circuit to be turned off so as to
turn off the first non-conductive signal driver such that the first non-conductive signal
isolator outputs the commutation detecting signal having the logic high status when a
difference between the second potential voltage and the first potential voltage equals to the
forward voltage, one of the first and the second SCRs is conducting and it is during the
negative half cycle of the AC input voltage.
20. A controlling method according to Claim 19, wherein the first non-conductive signal
amplifier circuit is the first non-conductive signal amplifier circuit as claimed in Claim 4
and comprises a first and a second transistors, the first non-conductive signal driver is the
first non-conductive signal driver as claimed in Claim 5 and comprises a third and a fourth
transistors, the first non-conductive signal isolator is the first non-conductive signal isolator
as claimed in Claim 3 and comprises an opto-coupler having two input terminals, and the
step (d) further comprises the steps of:
31

(d1) causing the first transistor to be turned on so as to bias the second transistor to be
turned on due to that the second potential voltage is higher than the first potential voltage;
and
(d2) causing the third transistor to be turned off and the two input terminals and the
fourth transistor to form a conducting path such that the opto-coupler outputs the
commutation signal having the logic low status, wherein the step (e) further comprises the
steps of:
(e1) causing the first transistor to be turned off so as to turn off the second transistor
due to that the difference between the second potential voltage and the first potential voltage
equals to the forward voltage; and
(e2) causing the third transistor to be turned on, the fourth transistor to have a zero base
current, and the two input terminals to form an open circuit such that the opto-coupler
outputs the commutation signal having the logic high status.
21. A controlling method according to Claim 18, wherein the first status is a logic low status,
the second non-conductive signal amplifier circuit is the second non-conductive signal
amplifier circuit as claimed in Claim 4 and comprises a first and a second transistors, the
second non-conductive signal driver is the second non-conductive signal driver as claimed
in Claim 5 and comprises a third and a fourth transistors, the second non-conductive signal
isolator is the second non-conductive signal isolator as claimed in Claim 3 and comprises an
opto-coupler having two input terminals, and the step (b) further comprises the steps of:
(bl) causing the first transistor to be turned on so as to bias the second transistor to be
turned on due to that the first potential voltage is higher than the second potential voltage;
and
(b2) causing the third transistor to be turned off and the two input terminals and the
fourth transistor to form a conducting path such that the opto-coupler outputs the
commutation signal having the logic low status.
22. A controlling method according to Claim 21, wherein the second status is a logic high
status, the step (c) further comprises the steps of:
(cl) causing the first transistor to be turned off so as to turn off the second transistor
due to that a difference between the first potential voltage and the second potential voltage
equals to the forward voltage; and
32

(c2) causing the third transistor to be turned on, the fourth transistor to have a zero
base current, and the two input terminals to form an open circuit such that the opto-coupler
outputs the commutation signal having the logic high status.
Dated this 13th day of August 2007.

The configurations of a commutation failure detection circuit for a back-to-back SCR
circuit and the controlling methods thereof are provided. The proposed commutation
failure detection circuit includes a first detecting signal generator coupled to the
back-to-back SCR circuit for detecting a commutation at a negative half cycle of an AC
input voltage and including a first non-conductive signal amplifier circuit generating a first
non-conductive signal when the back-to-back SCR circuit is not conductive at the negative
half cycle of the AC input voltage and a second detecting signal generator coupled to the
back-to-back SCR circuit for detecting the commutation at a positive half cycle of the AC
input voltage and including a second non-conductive signal amplifier circuit generating a
second non-conductive signal when the back-to-back SCR circuit is not conductive at the
positive half cycle of the AC input voltage.

Documents:

01119-kol-2007-abstract.pdf

01119-kol-2007-claims.pdf

01119-kol-2007-correspondence others 1.1.pdf

01119-kol-2007-correspondence others 1.2.pdf

01119-kol-2007-correspondence others.pdf

01119-kol-2007-description complete.pdf

01119-kol-2007-drawings.pdf

01119-kol-2007-form 1.pdf

01119-kol-2007-form 18.pdf

01119-kol-2007-form 2.pdf

01119-kol-2007-form 3.pdf

01119-kol-2007-form 5.pdf

01119-kol-2007-priority document.pdf

1119-KOL-2007-(13-08-2014)CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

1119-KOL-2007-(16-08-2013)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

1119-KOL-2007-(20-11-2012)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

1119-KOL-2007-(20-11-2012)-ENGLISH TRANSLATIONOF PRIORITY DOCUMENT.pdf

1119-KOL-2007-(24-10-2011)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

1119-KOL-2007-(27-02-2013)-ABSTRACT.pdf

1119-KOL-2007-(27-02-2013)-ANNEXURE TO FORM-3.pdf

1119-KOL-2007-(27-02-2013)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

1119-KOL-2007-(27-02-2013)-FORM-1.pdf

1119-KOL-2007-(27-02-2013)-FORM-2.pdf

1119-KOL-2007-(27-02-2013)-OTHERS.pdf

1119-KOL-2007-(28-06-2013)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

1119-KOL-2007-CORRESPONDENCE 1.3.pdf

1119-KOL-2007-CORRESPONDENCE 1.4.pdf

1119-KOL-2007-CORRESPONDENCE 1.5.pdf

1119-KOL-2007-CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 1.3.pdf

1119-KOL-2007-Correspondence-250215.pdf

abstract-01119-kol-2007.jpg


Patent Number 265899
Indian Patent Application Number 1119/KOL/2007
PG Journal Number 13/2015
Publication Date 27-Mar-2015
Grant Date 23-Mar-2015
Date of Filing 13-Aug-2007
Name of Patentee DET INTERNATIONAL HOLDING LIMITED
Applicant Address P.O. BOX 2003, GEORGE TOWN, GRAND CAYMAN
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 KHAIRA, TIRATH SINGH 3 TUNG YUAN RD., CHUNGLI INDUSTRIAL ZONE, TAOYUAN HSIEN 320, TAIWAN
PCT International Classification Number H04M3/22
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 096126708 2007-07-20 China