Arc-Light Triggered Circuit Breaker for Faster Fault Interruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional circuit breaker systems in low-, medium-, and high-voltage switchgears face delays in disconnection times due to complex evaluation and triggering processes, which can lead to prolonged arc fault clearing times and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A circuit breaker system incorporating a solar cell, energy storage units, and an electromechanical actuator, where the solar cell generates energy from an arc fault to activate the energy storage units, which in turn drive the electromechanical actuator to rapidly activate the circuit breaker, reducing the overall disconnection time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional evaluation and triggering processes are used, then the system can detect arc faults, but the disconnection time is delayed due to complex processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential triggering function from the complex evaluation system by using a simple optical sensor that directly detects arc light and triggers the circuit breaker without extensive processing. This removes the time-consuming evaluation layer while preserving arc fault detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional electronic evaluation and triggering system with a direct optical-to-mechanical triggering mechanism. The optical sensor detects arc light and directly activates the circuit breaker mechanism, eliminating the need for complex electronic processing and reducing disconnection time.
2Reliability
If additional fast earthing equipment is added to reduce arc impact, then arc mitigation improves, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the circuit breaker system self-sufficient by using the arc light itself as the triggering signal. The optical sensor detects the arc and automatically triggers the breaker without requiring external control systems, fast earthing equipment, or additional mitigation devices, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Ease of operation
If conventional triggering systems are used, then the circuit breaker can be activated, but external power supplies are required which add complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the circuit breaker to trigger itself by using the arc light as the power source for the optical sensor. This self-powered mechanism eliminates the need for external power supplies, control circuits, and associated complexity while maintaining ease of operation during arc fault conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful arc light into a useful triggering signal. The optical sensor uses the arc light itself to generate the electrical signal needed to trigger the circuit breaker, transforming the harmful phenomenon into the activation mechanism and eliminating external power requirements.
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
This solution enables faster arc fault detection and disconnection, significantly reducing the total arc fault clearing time and eliminating the need for external power supplies, thus enhancing the efficiency and reliability of arc mitigation in switchgear systems.
Implementation Method 1
The solar cell is configured to activate the at least one energy storage unit due to radiation from an electrical arc fault of the switchgear impinging upon the solar cell
Implementation Method 2
at least one energy storage unit; The one or more energy storage units of the at least one energy storage unit when activated are configured to release energy to drive the electromechanical actuator
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a circuit breaker system, comprising: - a solar cell (10); - a circuit breaker (30); - at least one energy storage unit (60); and - an electromechanical actuator (70); wherein the circuit breaker is configured to operate within a low voltage, medium voltage, or high voltage switchgear; wherein the electromechanical actuator when driven is configured to activate the circuit breaker; wherein the circuit breaker when activated is configured to stop current flow within at least one part of the low voltage, medium voltage, or high voltage switchgear; wherein one or more energy storage units of the at least one energy storage unit when activated are configured to release energy to drive the electromechanical actuator to activate the circuit breaker with reduced own time up to fault current interruption; wherein the solar cell is configured to be located within a compartment of the low voltage, medium voltage, or high voltage switchgear; and wherein the solar cell is configured to activate the at least one energy storage unit due to radiation from an electrical arc fault of the switchgear impinging upon the solar cell.