Electrical Contactor with Staggered Switch Opening for DC Arc Splitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical contactors designed for alternating current struggle with optimized thermal operation when handling direct current, particularly during transient opening periods, due to high power dissipation and potential arcing issues.
Innovation Solution
An electrical contactor with a control mechanism that coordinates the opening of first and second switches, where the first switches are connected in parallel and then series, with a time lag between their movements, to manage thermal operation and arc splitting efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If contactors are connected in series to multiply contacts for optimized direct current operation, then arc splitting is improved, but power dissipation and thermal operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The contactor is divided into two independent switches (first switch and second switch) with separate movable contacts. This segmentation allows each switch to handle a portion of the total current, reducing the power dissipation in each individual contact while maintaining the series connection configuration for arc splitting during direct current operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic switching between different connection configurations. The control device can switch between series connection (for direct current operation with arc splitting) and parallel connection (for reduced power dissipation). This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt to different operating conditions and optimize both arc splitting performance and thermal operation.
2Ease of operation
If contactors are connected in series to improve direct current operation, then contact opening performance is improved, but thermal operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The contactor is divided into two independent switches with separate movable contacts. This segmentation allows each switch to handle a portion of the total current, reducing the power dissipation in each individual contact while maintaining the series connection configuration for improved contact opening performance during direct current operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device dynamically switches between series connection (for improved contact opening performance) and parallel connection (for reduced thermal operation). This allows the system to optimize contact opening performance when needed while minimizing thermal stress during normal operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple contactors are connected in series to multiply contacts, then device complexity increases, but contact multiplication is achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple switches (first switch and second switch) into a single integrated contactor housing with a unified control device. This merging approach achieves contact multiplication and series/parallel connection capabilities within a single device, reducing the need for multiple separate contactors and simplifying the overall system configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The contactor is designed with multi-functionality, capable of operating in both series and parallel configurations through a single control device. This universal design allows the same device to adapt to different operational requirements (direct current operation with arc splitting versus reduced power dissipation) without requiring separate specialized contactors, thereby reducing device complexity.
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 configuration optimizes thermal performance and ensures smooth opening of movable contacts during transient periods, reducing thermal issues and arc-related problems.
Implementation Method 1
the control device is suitable for control the displacement of the or each first movable contact in the open position before that of each second movable contact in the open position, with a time lag of between 10 milliseconds (ms) and 1 second (s)
Implementation Method 2
when an electric arc appears. Indeed, the multiplication of contacts makes it possible to split the electric arc, which appears
Implementation Method 3
During operation of the electrical contactor, when the movable contacts are in the closed position, the powers dissipated by each contact are added
Data Source
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AI summary
This electrical contactor (100) includes at least one first switch (104) which has a first movable contact (112) and several second switches (106) which have a second movable contact (116). The contactor further includes at least one control device for the movement of the first (112) or second (116) movable contact. Upon receiving an opening command to the contactor (100), the control device is designed to move the first movable contact (112) to the open position before moving each second movable contact (116) to the open position. When the first movable contact (112) is in the closed position, the second switches (106) are connected in parallel, while when the first movable contact (112) is in the open position, the second switches (106) are connected in series.