Discharge Location Determination in Tank-Type Switching Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vacuum degree monitoring devices and discharge detection systems cannot accurately determine whether a detected discharge is within the vacuum circuit breaker or has propagated from outside, often requiring high-cost and high-performance equipment for precise time difference calculations and potentially leading to incorrect location determination.

Innovation Solution

A tank-type switching device with first and second bushings and metal electrodes, connected to a discharge location determination unit that calculates the discharge location based on the intensity difference or intensity ratio between signals detected by these electrodes, allowing for simplified determination of discharge occurrence inside or outside the tank.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional time difference calculation methods are used to determine discharge location, then discharge location can be determined, but high-cost and high-performance equipment (GHz oscillator and high-performance processing device) is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge location determination accuracyVSAvoidequipment cost and performance requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional electromagnetic wave-based time difference calculation method with a simplified signal intensity comparison method. Instead of using GHz oscillators and high-performance processing devices to calculate time differences, the invention uses metal electrodes to detect signal intensity differences, substituting complex electromagnetic measurement with a simpler electrical field-based detection system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs inexpensive metal electrodes as detection elements instead of expensive high-performance oscillators and processing devices. The metal electrodes serve as simple, cost-effective sensors that can determine discharge location through signal intensity comparison, eliminating the need for costly equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Measurement precision

If discharge detectors are placed at two spots and output comparison is performed, then discharge location can be determined, but wrong determination occurs when high signal intensity is received (discharge may be outside breaker)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge location determination accuracyVSAvoiddischarge location determination reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces metal electrodes as intermediary detection elements placed within the breaker structure. These electrodes serve as mediators that detect electromagnetic signals from discharges and convert them into measurable electrical signals. By comparing signal intensities at different electrode positions, the system can reliably determine whether a discharge occurred inside or outside the breaker, overcoming the limitations of direct discharge detector comparison.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If vacuum degree monitoring is performed to detect discharge, then vacuum deterioration can be detected, but it cannot determine whether discharge occurred in breaker or propagated from outside

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevacuum degree monitoring capabilityVSAvoiddischarge location information

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the detection function into multiple metal electrodes positioned at different locations within the breaker. Each electrode independently detects signal intensity, and by comparing the results from segmented detection points, the system can determine discharge location. This segmentation approach preserves vacuum monitoring capability while adding location discrimination functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables accurate and simplified determination of discharge location within the tank-type switching device without the need for high-precision instruments, using the intensity difference or intensity ratio between signals from the metal electrodes to differentiate between internal and external discharges.

Implementation Method 1

first and second metal electrodes placed in the first and second bushings, respectively, and insulated from the tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9182447B2Tank-type switching device

Publication Date: 2015.11.10 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A discharge location determination unit includes: discharge detection circuits connected to metal electrodes, respectively, and to which a signal due to discharge is input; and a calculation circuit to which signals output from the discharge detection circuits are input, wherein, if the intensity difference or intensity ratio between the two output signals is within a predetermined value, the calculation circuit determines that the discharge location is inside a tank, otherwise the calculation circuit determines that the discharge location is outside the tank.