DC Switchgear Lorentz Force Arc Quenching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing DC switching devices are unsuitable for high-power direct current applications, as they can experience total loss and lead to system failure or fire, especially when switching high-voltage and high-current direct currents, due to unsuitable arc quenching mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A DC switching device with a magnet arrangement that generates a Lorentz force to push arcs into arc quenching chambers, preventing thermal destruction by ensuring arcs are extinguished efficiently, featuring a double interruption mechanism and arc quenching chambers with splitter plates and a magnetic field to manage arcs effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If AC switching devices are used for high-power direct current applications, then switching capability is provided, but total loss occurs leading to system failure or fire
Solution Approach 1:
The switching device is divided into multiple arc quenching chambers (first arc quenching chamber and second arc quenching chamber), each handling a portion of the arc. This segmentation prevents concentrated thermal energy in one location, avoiding total loss while maintaining high switching capacity for direct currents.
Solution Approach 2:
A magnet arrangement is introduced as an intermediary element that generates a magnetic field to create a Lorentz force. This force actively directs arcs into the arc quenching chambers, ensuring proper arc management during direct current switching and preventing the total loss that occurs with passive AC switching devices.
2Device complexity
If conventional arc quenching mechanisms are used, then simple structure is maintained, but arcs cannot be effectively extinguished in high-power direct current applications
Solution Approach 1:
The magnet arrangement is pre-configured to generate a magnetic field that creates a Lorentz force directed toward the arc quenching chambers. This preliminary magnetic field setup ensures that when switching occurs, arcs are automatically and reliably directed into the quenching chambers without requiring complex active control systems, maintaining structural simplicity while ensuring reliable arc extinguishing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical arc control mechanisms with a magnetic field-based Lorentz force system. The magnet arrangement generates a magnetic field that exerts force on the arcs, providing reliable arc direction and extinguishing through electromagnetic interaction rather than mechanical means, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing structural complexity.
3Power
If high-power direct current switching is attempted without proper arc management, then switching capability is achieved, but thermal destruction occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The magnet arrangement converts the harmful thermal energy of arcs into a controlled phenomenon by using the Lorentz force to direct arcs into dedicated quenching chambers. The arc energy, which would otherwise cause thermal destruction, is channeled and managed, transforming a harmful effect into a controlled process that protects the switching device while maintaining high power switching capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The arc quenching chambers are designed to extract and isolate arcs from the main switching path. By separating arcs into dedicated chambers where they can be safely extinguished, the harmful thermal effects are removed from the main switching structure, preventing thermal destruction while allowing high-power direct current switching to proceed.
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 enables reliable switching of high-power direct currents with enhanced security against thermal destruction, preventing arc-related damage and ensuring safe operation by effectively extinguishing arcs in high-voltage and high-current scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet arrangement 10, which is designed such that - by a Schaltvorgang caused - arcs 11, in the first arc quenching chamber 7 and in the second arc quenching chamber 8, each a Lorentz force 12 in the direction of the splitter plates 9 acts
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a DC switchgear (1) with at least one electrical input (2) and at least one electrical output (3), and with at least one first switching contact (4), a second switching contact (5) and a mobile jumper (20), a current path being electrically conductive from the input (2) to the output (3) when the first switching contact (4) and the second switching contact (5) are conductively connected by means of the jumper (20), the DC switchgear (1) further comprising an arc extinguishing assembly (6). According to the invention, the arc extinguishing assembly (6) comprises a first arc extinguishing chamber (7) and a second arc extinguishing chamber (8), each comprising a plurality of extinguishing plates (9). The DC switchgear (1) further comprises a magnet array (10) which is configured such that a Lorentz force (12) acts upon arcs (11), which are caused by a switching process, in the first arc extinguishing chamber (7) and in the second arc extinguishing chamber (8) in the direction of the extinguishing plates (9).