Circuit Breaker Control Prioritizing Trip Signals
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical circuit breakers face challenges in efficiently opening contacts during over-current events, particularly when limited power is available, as shunt trip coils require more power to provide sufficient force, leading to potential damage if multiple coils are energized simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A method of circuit breaker control that determines redundancy parameters and prioritizes trip and shunt trip signals to manage power usage, allowing for simultaneous energization of both trip and shunt trip coils only when necessary, ensuring sufficient force is applied while limiting power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If shunt trip coils are energized to provide sufficient force to open contacts during over-current events, then the force applied to contacts is improved, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the tripping mechanism based on real-time conditions. The control algorithm determines whether to use the trip coil alone, shunt trip coil alone, or both simultaneously based on the severity of the over-current event and available power, optimizing the balance between force application and power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the trip coils by introducing a control algorithm that selects different tripping modes (trip coil only, shunt trip coil only, or both) based on system conditions. This parameter selection allows the system to adapt power consumption and force application to match the specific requirements of each over-current event
2Reliability
If multiple trip coils are energized simultaneously to ensure reliable contact opening, then the reliability of circuit breaker operation is improved, but the power consumption and risk of component damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control algorithm applies partial action by selecting only the necessary tripping mechanism for each specific over-current event. Instead of always energizing both trip coils simultaneously, the system applies the minimum necessary force (using trip coil alone for minor events, shunt trip coil alone or both for severe events), thereby maintaining reliability while reducing unnecessary power consumption and component stress
3Force
If shunt trip coils are used to provide larger force for contact opening, then the ability to open contacts under high current conditions is improved, but the number of coils that can be energized simultaneously is limited by available power
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines the number of coils to energize based on the specific over-current conditions. The control algorithm assesses the severity of the event and available power, then selectively energizes only the necessary number of coils (one or both), optimizing the balance between achieving sufficient force and respecting power limitations
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 approach effectively manages power limitations by prioritizing and coordinating the activation of trip and shunt trip coils, ensuring safe and efficient operation of circuit breakers during over-current conditions without risking component damage.
Implementation Method 1
The trip coil may 'trip' if an over-current event exists. Furthermore, the trip coil may be responsive to trip signals of a trip unit.
Implementation Method 2
The shunt trip coil may be a mechanical or electrical-mechanical trip coil. The shunt trip coil may trip if a mechanical linkage or trip lever is activated.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A circuit breaker protection system (100) includes a plurality of circuit breakers (106, 107, 108), each circuit breaker (106) of the plurality of circuit breakers (106, 107, 108) including a trip device (161) and a shunt trip device (162), and a first central processor (101) in communication with each circuit breaker (106) of the plurality of circuit breakers (106, 107, 108), the first central processor (101) being configured to perform a method of circuit breaker control. The method includes determining a status (305) for each circuit breaker (106), transmitting a trip signal (306) to each circuit breaker (106) based on a respective circuit breaker's status, establishing a priority (307) of each circuit breaker (106) in response to a respective circuit breaker's trip signal, and transmitting a shunt trip signal (404, 405) to each circuit breaker (106) based on a respective circuit breaker's priority.