Capacitor Discharge Wire with Voltage Probing for High Voltage Converters
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Solution Overview
Problem
High voltage converter capacitors pose a safety risk due to potential residual charges during discharging, which can cause the short-circuiting wire to weld with connection terminals, leading to inefficiencies and delays in allowing personnel to enter the area safely.
Innovation Solution
A specialized short-circuiting wire with insulating and conductive sections, along with a probing section for voltage detection and a discharge resistor, ensures capacitors are discharged below a safe threshold before short-circuiting, preventing wire damage and ensuring safe entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If capacitors are short-circuited without prior discharging, then the short-circuiting process is faster, but the short-circuiting wire may weld with connection terminals due to residual high voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing a discharging resistor that automatically discharges capacitors before the short-circuiting wire makes contact. The probing section detects voltage in advance, triggers discharge through the resistor, and only then allows the conductive section to short-circuit the capacitor terminals, preventing wire welding while maintaining efficient operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a discharging resistor as a mediator between the capacitor and the short-circuiting wire. The resistor temporarily absorbs and dissipates the capacitor's energy through controlled resistance, converting electrical energy to heat, thereby protecting the wire from direct exposure to high voltage before short-circuiting
2Device complexity
If a simple short-circuiting wire is used, then the device structure is simpler, but it cannot detect voltage or prevent wire damage from residual charges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the short-circuiting wire into distinct functional sections: a probing section with voltage detection capability, an insulating section to prevent premature discharge, and a conductive short-circuiting section. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the short-circuiting wire to simultaneously perform voltage detection, insulation, and short-circuiting functions. The single integrated wire structure incorporates a probing section for detection, an insulating section for protection, and a conductive section for short-circuiting, eliminating the need for separate components
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 solution provides reliable and efficient discharging of capacitors, preventing wire damage and ensuring safe entry by ensuring capacitors are fully discharged before short-circuiting, thereby enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a probing section (42) provided in-between the first insulating section (IS1) and the short-circuiting section (SCS) and configured to be connected to the first connection terminal (44) when moved along, wherein the voltage evaluating unit (50) is electrically connected to the probing section (42) and configured to measure a capacitor voltage
Implementation Method 2
the voltage evaluating unit (50) halting the movement, and then ensuring that the capacitor is discharged, wherein the discharging is ensured by interconnecting the probing section (42) with the discharge resistor (R2)
Implementation Method 3
a short-circuiting wire (30a) comprising a first insulating section (IS1), a short-circuiting section (SCS) and a probing section (42)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5
AI summary
The invention concerns a short-circuiting arrangement for capacitors (C) of a high voltage converter, the capacitors each having two connection terminals (44, 46), the arrangement comprising a short-circuiting wire (30a) configured to be moved along while in sliding contact with the connection terminals (44, 46) and comprising a short-circuiting section (SCS) with electrically conductive material (45) connected to a ground potential and a probing section (PS) with electrically conductive material and a voltage evaluating unit electrically connected to the short-circuit section (SCS) and the probing section (PS) and configured to detect, as the probing section (PS) and short-circuiting section (SCS) are connected to the respective connection terminals (44, 46), the voltage (UCell) across the capacitor, compare the voltage with a discharge threshold and halt or move the short- circuiting wire based on the detected voltage.