Pressurized-Air Pulse Generator for Arc Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
High voltage pulse generators using sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) as insulation medium face rapid gas decomposition and contamination due to frequent electric arcs, leading to inefficient operation and high maintenance needs, while alternative systems like hydrogen gas pose cost and safety issues, limiting their long-term usability.
Innovation Solution
A high voltage pulse generator design featuring a hollow cylindrical chamber with air ducts, nozzles, capacitors, electrodes, and a pressurized air system for insulation, which maintains air quality and stability by filtering, drying, heating, and regulating the air to prevent contamination and ensure consistent high voltage pulses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas is used as insulation medium, then high voltage insulation performance is improved, but gas decomposition and contamination occur rapidly under frequent electric arcs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the insulation medium from SF6 gas to pressurized air, fundamentally altering the chemical and physical parameters of the insulating environment. This substitution eliminates the decomposition and contamination issues associated with SF6 while maintaining adequate insulation performance through pressure control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a gas cleaning and recirculation system that treats the air insulation medium continuously, allowing the use of a simpler, less expensive gas (air instead of SF6) that can be cleaned and reused rather than requiring constant replacement like decomposed SF6
2Reliability
If hydrogen gas is used to maintain voltage stability at high pulse rates, then voltage stability is improved, but safety risks and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pressurized air, an inert and non-flammable atmosphere, to provide both insulation and voltage stability. This eliminates the flammability and explosion risks associated with hydrogen gas while maintaining the electrical stability required for high pulse rate operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a pressurized air system with compressors, regulators, and flow control mechanisms to maintain stable voltage conditions. The pneumatic pressure control provides voltage stability without requiring flammable gases like hydrogen
3Reliability
If frequent gas refilling and chamber cleaning are performed to maintain SF6 insulation performance, then insulation performance is maintained, but maintenance time and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-cleaning gas recirculation system that continuously filters and cleans the air insulation medium during operation. This eliminates the need for frequent manual maintenance and gas refilling required by SF6 systems, as the air can be cleaned and reused indefinitely
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recycles the air insulation medium through continuous filtration and cleaning processes, recovering the insulating properties of the air without requiring disposal and replacement. This contrasts with SF6 systems where decomposed gas must be discarded and fresh gas added
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables long-term stable operation with high firing frequency by maintaining air quality and preventing contamination, reducing the need for frequent gas refills and minimizing maintenance, thus improving the economic viability and practicality of high voltage pulse generation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one filter (10) which enables foreign particles such as dust from the outer environment to be filtered
Implementation Method 2
at least one compressor (11) which enables the air passing through the filter (10) to get pressurized
Implementation Method 3
at least one dryer (12) which enables the air pressurized by the compressor (11) to get dried
Implementation Method 4
at least one heater (14) which enables the air taken from the air container (13) to be heated
Implementation Method 5
at least one regulator (15) which regulates the pressure and the flow rate of the air taken from the heater (14)
Implementation Method 6
at least two air duct (3) which are placed in the chamber (3) and one of which enables to blow air into the chamber (2) while the other enables to take air from the chamber (2)
Implementation Method 7
at least two capacitors (5) which are placed in the chamber (2) and enable to store charge
Implementation Method 8
at least two electrodes (6) which are connected as one to every sequential capacitor (5) such that it will enable arcing from one capacitor (5) to the other
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a high voltage pulse generator (1) which can operate for a long time and has high pulse frequency. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the air stored in the air container (13) is transmitted to the air duet (3) by means of a hose over the regulator (IS) that adjusts the pressure and flow rate of the air. The air given into the air duct (3) blows into the chamber (2) through the nozzles (4) Then, this air is taken into this air duct (3) by means of the nozzles (4) placed on the other air duet (3) and is transferred to the outer environment over an exhaust valve placed under the air duct (3). In this embodiment, the nozzles (4) are aligned with the place where the arc between electrodes (6) occurs and thus the air whose composition changes because of the arc is sent away. The air coming from the air container (13) takes the place of the removed air. Thus, it is guaranteed that the character of the next arc is not changed.