Electronic Protection Switching Without Arc Damage or Quenching Chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical protection devices with arc switching suffer from damage, impaired performance, and limited service life due to electric arcs, which also pollute their environment and restrict breaking power.
Innovation Solution
An electronically switched protection device that uses an electronic switching unit to perform switching operations without generating an electric arc, replacing traditional electromechanical elements with a modular design, allowing for fast switching and increased breaking power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If arc switching is used in protection devices, then switching operation is achieved, but damage and performance impairment occur due to electric arcs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional electromechanical arc switching system with an electronic switching component (such as a transistor or thyristor) that can open and close circuits electronically without mechanical contact separation. This substitution eliminates the electric arc phenomenon while maintaining the switching function, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving switching operation and preventing device damage.
2Power
If quenching chamber is implemented to control electric arc, then breaking power is limited, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing the mechanical arc switching system with an electronic switching component, the patent eliminates the need for a quenching chamber entirely. Electronic switching components can handle high breaking powers without requiring the bulky arc suppression structures, thus simultaneously achieving high breaking power capability while reducing device size.
3Duration of action of moving object
If electric arc is used for switching, then service life is limited, but switching function is achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the electromechanical switching mechanism that produces harmful arcs with a solid-state electronic switching component. This electronic component has no moving parts and does not generate electric arcs, enabling it to perform switching operations indefinitely without the service life limitations imposed by arc erosion and mechanical wear.
4Ease of operation
If arc switching is used, then environment is polluted, but switching operation is achieved
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing the arc-based electromechanical switching with an electronic switching component, the patent eliminates the generation of harmful substances such as ozone, nitrogen oxides, and other byproducts of electric arc discharge. The electronic switching component performs the same switching function without producing any environmental pollution.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic switching protection apparatus that does not generate an electric arc includes a phase current line and a neutral current line and an electronic protection tripping device electrically connected to a measurement sensor (1′). A galvanic isolation mechanism (4) is provided having first and second pairs of contacts, configured to be actuated by an actuator (3). An electronic switching unit (9) has a power electronic switching component (10, 11) which is arranged on the phase current line, and is able and intended to be made to trip by the protective trip control signal representative of the occurrence of a fault in order to open the electronic switching component (10, 11). The actuator (3) is configured to actuate the opening of the first and second pairs of contacts consecutively with the opening of the electronic switching component (10, 11).