Coupling Surge Arrester Trip Unit for Overheat Circuit Break
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surge arresters in power transmission systems can malfunction due to factors like aging and moisture, leading to cracking and explosion, posing safety risks to equipment and personnel.
Innovation Solution
A coupling surge arrester with a trip unit that includes conductive and insulating members, allowing the arrester module to break the circuit when malfunctioning, preventing continuous current flow and potential explosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the surge arrester continuously conducts high current to protect the power transmission system, then the protection function is improved, but the arrester module may overheat and explode due to long-term use and aging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic circuit breaking mechanism where the second conductor can slide relative to the first conductor. When the arrester module malfunctions and temperature rises, the conductive member expands thermally, pushing the second conductor to slide and break the circuit, thereby dynamically responding to abnormal conditions and preventing explosion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical fuse or thermal element with a trip unit that uses thermal expansion of a conductive member to drive a sliding conductor mechanism. This mechanical substitution allows for controlled circuit breaking through thermal-mechanical coupling, improving safety while maintaining protection function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the surge arrester is designed with a trip unit and sliding conductor mechanism, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the circuit breaking function with the existing current conduction path by using the same conductors (first and second conductors) for both normal current flow and safety tripping. The trip unit is integrated into the communicating portion between the coupling head and accommodating portion, combining multiple functions into a compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive member automatically responds to temperature rise through thermal expansion, self-activating the circuit breaking mechanism without external control. The sliding conductor design allows the system to self-trip when abnormal conditions occur, reducing the need for complex control circuits or external monitoring systems.
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
Prevents arrester module explosions and cracking by breaking the circuit when malfunctioning, enhancing safety and protecting surrounding equipment.
Implementation Method 1
the continuously passing current will cause the temperature of the conductive member to rise sharply
Implementation Method 2
the air inside the closed chamber will expand rapidly after being heated
Data Source
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AI summary
A coupling surge arrester (100) has a body (10). The body (10) includes an arrester module (20) and a trip unit (30) at the front end of the arrester module (20). The trip unit (30) includes a first conductor (31), a second conductor (32) slidable relative to the first conductor (31), and at least one conductive member (34). A closed chamber (33) is enclosed between the first conductor (31) and the second conductor (32). The conductive member (34) is disposed in the closed chamber (33). When the arrester module (20) malfunctions, the continuously passing current will cause the temperature of the conductive member (34) to rise sharply, and the air inside the closed chamber (33) will expand rapidly after being heated, such that the second conductor (32) is pushed to slide relative to the first conductor (31) to occur a circuit break, thereby preventing the arrester module (20) from exploding and cracking.