Determination of optimum resistor sequence in a ballistic breaker

A novel design for a DC circuit breaker based on commutating the current over a series of different resistive paths through a variable resistance commutating shuttle was first described in a 2011 paper¹. Since then, it has been recognized that the concept can be generalized to stationary resistors as well as moving resistors, to rotating shuttles as well as shuttles that move axially; and to stepper motors or other drives to actuate the motion of the shuttle, in addition to methods which are capable of driving the shuttle ballistically (as was initially envisioned).