DC Power Supply Arc Extinction via Periodic Voltage Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional DC-powered illuminating systems face difficulties in extinguishing electric arcs when detaching fixtures from live-line DC power supply paths, as the arcs are harder to extinguish compared to AC-powered systems.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system that converts a first DC voltage into a second DC voltage and controls it to decrease from a first voltage value to a lower limit value periodically, using a voltage conversion circuit and control circuit to manage the voltage, ensuring the lower limit value is below the threshold necessary for maintaining light source operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If DC voltage is supplied to the illuminating fixture, then the fixture can be powered directly without AC/DC converter, but electric arc extinction becomes more difficult compared to AC-powered systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by periodically lowering the DC voltage to a predetermined low voltage level for a specific duration. This periodic voltage reduction creates conditions favorable for electric arc extinction while maintaining normal operation during other periods, thus resolving the contradiction between simplified power supply and arc extinction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter dynamically by lowering it to a predetermined low voltage level for arc extinction purposes. This parameter change enables the system to switch between normal operation mode and arc extinction mode, addressing the reliability issue without adding complex hardware.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If voltage is continuously maintained at operating level, then light source remains lit, but electric arc persists longer when fixture is detached
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit periodically lowers the voltage to a low level for a predetermined period, creating intermittent voltage reduction cycles. This periodic action allows the system to maintain light operation for most of the time while periodically creating conditions that accelerate arc extinction, thus balancing both requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage lowering action is performed in advance or periodically before arc extinction becomes critical. By proactively reducing voltage during predetermined intervals, the system prepares conditions favorable for arc extinction before the arc becomes problematic, reducing overall extinction time.
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 reduces the time required to extinguish electric arcs by periodically lowering the second DC voltage, effectively addressing the challenge of arc extinction in DC-powered systems.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage conversion circuit (22) configured to convert the first DC voltage (V1) into the second DC voltage (V2)
Implementation Method 2
decreasing a voltage value of the second DC voltage (V2) from a first voltage value (V21) to a lower limit value (V22) for a predetermined period (ΔTc)
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply includes an input for receiving a first DC voltage, an output for outputting a second DC voltage, a voltage conversion circuit configured to convert the first DC voltage into the second DC voltage, and a control circuit configured to control the voltage conversion circuit to vary a voltage value of the second DC voltage. The control circuit is configured to control the voltage conversion circuit so as to decrease the voltage value of the second DC voltage from a first voltage value to a second voltage value for a predetermined duration every time a predetermined period elapses. The first voltage value is equal to or greater than a voltage value necessary to keep lighting a light source. The second voltage value is smaller than the voltage value necessary to keep lighting the light source.