Circuit Breaker Thermal Imaging for Accurate Temperature-Based Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Circuit breakers often malfunction due to incorrect control signals or temperature measurement inaccuracies, leading to overcurrents and power supply interruptions, as existing technologies fail to accurately assess the thermal state of circuit breakers.
Innovation Solution
A circuit breaker opening/closing assistance device that corrects thermal images based on material emissivity, identified through visible image analysis, to improve temperature measurement accuracy and diagnose potential failures, thereby preventing overcurrents and power disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If thermal image measurement is used to monitor circuit breaker temperature, then non-contact temperature monitoring is achieved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to emissivity variations of different materials
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different emissivity values to different regions of the circuit breaker based on material identification. The visible image camera identifies specific materials (metal, plastic, ceramic) at different locations, and the thermal image camera uses location-specific emissivity values to correct temperature measurements, achieving accurate non-contact monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
A visible image camera serves as an intermediary to identify materials before thermal measurement. The visible image provides material information that acts as a mediator to determine appropriate emissivity values, which then correct the thermal image measurements for accurate temperature reading
2Measurement precision
If material emissivity is corrected based on visible image analysis, then temperature measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensors and processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The visible image camera serves multiple functions: it captures visual information for material identification, provides spatial mapping for thermal image correction, and enables emissivity determination. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges visible light imaging and thermal infrared imaging into a unified measurement system. Both cameras capture images of the same field of view, and the processing unit combines both data streams to produce corrected temperature measurements, reducing overall system complexity
3Device complexity
If the circuit breaker operates without accurate temperature monitoring, then device simplicity is maintained, but reliability deteriorates due to undetected overheating and potential failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary material identification using visible image analysis before conducting thermal temperature measurement. This preliminary action of identifying materials and determining emissivity values ensures that subsequent temperature measurements are accurate, preventing false readings that could lead to undetected overheating
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where thermal images provide temperature data, which is corrected using emissivity information from visible images. The processed temperature information can trigger alerts or control actions, creating a closed-loop monitoring system that enhances reliability through continuous verification
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 device enhances the accuracy of temperature measurement and failure diagnosis, ensuring reliable operation of circuit breakers by correcting thermal images and providing timely control signals to prevent overcurrents and power supply interruptions.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal image camera configured to acquire a thermal image of the circuit breaker
Implementation Method 2
a visible image camera configured to acquire a visible image of the circuit breaker
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a circuit breaker opening/closing assistance apparatus for correcting a thermal image of a circuit breaker on the basis of a visible image of the circuit breaker, and assisting an opening/closing operation of the relevant circuit breaker on the basis of a temperature identified through the corrected thermal image. Further, the present disclosure relates to a circuit breaker opening/closing assistance apparatus for identifying a temperature of a circuit breaker in which a failure has occurred, on the basis of a thermal image of the circuit breaker, and assisting an opening/closing operation of the relevant circuit breaker on the basis of the identified temperature.