Discharge Element with Control Electrode for Fast Transient Voltage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional discharge elements are inadequate for discharging at low voltage when faced with fast transient voltages, leading to insufficient protection against surges, particularly in communication systems, as they fail to meet international regulations for residual voltage levels.
Innovation Solution
A discharge element with a discharge-control electrode and a control circuit that includes a high voltage transformer and limiting elements, such as zener diodes or LC resonant circuits, to induce a discharge at low voltage levels, ensuring effective surge protection by ionizing the discharge-assisting material even at high-speed transient voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional discharge element is used, then it can discharge at about 90V against direct current or slow rising voltage, but it cannot discharge against fast transient voltage at levels of 700V or lower
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge element is segmented into multiple functional components: a discharge electrode, a control electrode, and a reference electrode, each with specific functions. The control electrode is physically separated from the discharge electrode and connected to a control circuit, allowing independent control of the discharge timing. This segmentation enables the system to respond to fast transient voltages by triggering discharge through the control electrode rather than relying solely on voltage buildup across the discharge electrode.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit continuously monitors the voltage across the discharge electrode and preliminarily prepares for discharge by detecting when the voltage reaches a predetermined threshold. This preliminary detection and triggering mechanism allows the system to initiate discharge before the fast transient voltage can cause damage, rather than waiting for the voltage to naturally build up to the discharge level.
2Reliability
If the discharge element is designed to discharge at low voltage (90V), then it provides good protection for slow rising voltage, but it fails to discharge against fast transient voltage (1,000 V/μs) at 700V or lower
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit implements a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring the voltage across the discharge electrode and comparing it to a predetermined threshold voltage. When the monitored voltage reaches the threshold, the control circuit immediately triggers the discharge through the control electrode. This feedback loop enables the system to respond rapidly to fast transient voltages, achieving both low voltage discharge capability and fast response speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The control electrode acts as an intermediary between the voltage monitoring function and the discharge function. Instead of the discharge electrode directly responding to voltage changes, the control electrode is used to trigger the discharge based on signals from the control circuit. This intermediary mechanism allows for precise control of the discharge timing and enables rapid response to fast transient voltages.
3Ease of operation
If all electrodes are physically connected to discharge-assisting material, then the structure is simple, but the discharge cannot be controlled to occur at specific timing for fast transient protection
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode system is segmented into distinct functional components: the discharge electrode for current flow, the control electrode for timing control, and the reference electrode for voltage reference. The control electrode is physically separated from the discharge-assisting material while maintaining electrical connection through the control circuit. This segmentation provides discharge control capability while keeping the overall structure manageable through clear functional separation.
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 discharge elements to effectively handle fast transient voltages at 100 V or lower, providing low residual voltage characteristics and enhanced surge protection, aligning with international standards and effectively safeguarding equipment from lightning-induced surges.
Implementation Method 1
a discharge-assisting material filled in the discharge gap starts a glow discharge while being ionized
Implementation Method 2
a discharge-assisting material filled in the discharge gap starts a glow discharge while being ionized
Implementation Method 3
immediately it is followed by an ark discharge when a discharge current becomes large by the glow discharge
Implementation Method 4
a discharge-control electrode 150 in contact with the airtight cylinder 120 made of an insulator and physically separated from the discharge-assisting material 130, wherein a discharge between the pair of discharge electrodes 111, 112 is induced by a control voltage applied through the discharge-control electrode 150
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
The present invention relates to a new discharge element having a discharge-control electrode for inducing a discharge even at low voltage by improving a characteristic in which a discharge element may not be discharged against a fast transient voltage when it is at low voltage, and more specifically, the discharge element having a discharge-control electrode according to the present invention comprises an airtight cylinder formed with a ceramic insulation material, a pair of discharge electrodes arranged for facing an end opening of the airtight cylinder, a discharge gap formed between the pair of discharge electrodes, a discharge-assisting material filled inside the airtight cylinder, and a discharge-control electrode in contact with the airtight cylinder and physically separated from the discharge-assisting material, wherein a discharge between the pair of discharge electrodes is induced by a control voltage applied through the discharge-control electrode.