Switching Device Design to Minimize Micro-Arcs and Improve Efficiency
Here’s PatSnap Eureka !
Summary
Problems
Current switching devices for low or medium voltage electric power distribution networks face challenges with synchronization of movable contacts due to the large number of small power diodes required, leading to micro-arcs and reduced operating life, which complicates manufacturing and increases costs.
Innovation solutions
The switching device employs a chain of solid-state semiconductor devices configured in series with intermediate terminals to control current flow direction, allowing for improved synchronization and reduced parasitic phenomena during opening and closing maneuvers by activating different groups of semiconductor devices at specific positions, thus minimizing micro-arcs and inrush currents.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If a large number of small power diodes are used to handle high operating voltages, then the voltage handling capability is improved, but the synchronization of movable contacts becomes difficult and micro-arcs increase
Why choose this principle:
The patent divides the single auxiliary current path into multiple parallel auxiliary current paths, each with its own semiconductor devices. This segmentation allows independent control and synchronization of each path, reducing the overall synchronization complexity while maintaining high voltage handling capability through the combined effect of multiple paths.
Principle concept:
If a large number of small power diodes are used to handle high operating voltages, then the voltage handling capability is improved, but the synchronization of movable contacts becomes difficult and micro-arcs increase
Why choose this principle:
The patent introduces intermediate terminals that act as mediators between the main current path and multiple auxiliary current paths. These intermediaries facilitate coordinated control and synchronization of current flow across different paths, enabling precise timing control to prevent micro-arcs during contact opening.
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
The switching device employs a chain of solid-state semiconductor devices configured in series with intermediate terminals to control current flow direction, allowing for improved synchronization and reduced parasitic phenomena during opening and closing maneuvers by activating different groups of semiconductor devices at specific positions, thus minimizing micro-arcs and inrush currents.
Abstract
A switching device for low or medium voltage electric power distribution networks, the switching device comprising: at least an electric pole comprising a movable contact and a fixed contact, which are coupleable/decoupleable one to another; a circuit assembly, which comprises a chain of semiconductor devices adapted to switch in an ON state or in an OFF state depending on the voltage applied thereto, the semiconductor devices being electrically connected in series one to another in such a way that a current can flow according to a predefined conduction direction (CD) when the semiconductor devices are in an ON state. The circuit assembly comprises an input terminal, an output terminal and at least an intermediate terminal electrically connected with at least an intermediate electric node positioned between two subsequent semiconductor devices. The input terminal is electrically connected with the fixed contact: the input terminal, the output terminal and the at least an intermediate terminal are electrically coupleable/decoupleable with/from the movable contact when the movable contact reaches different positions during a movement towards/away from the fixed contact in such a way that different groups of semiconductor devices switch in an ON state or in an OFF state at different instants during the movement of the movable contact, depending on the position reached by the movable contact.