Dual-Purpose Inductive Coil Arc Detection in Electric Meters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric meters with arc detection circuits add complexity and require additional testing, necessitating improvements for reliability and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The electric meter design incorporates a pair of terminals connected by a switch with an inductive coil and a metrology circuit, including a current sensor and an arc detection circuit connected to the inductive coil, enabling detection of electrical arcs between terminals and the power line, and utilizing the electric motor's inductive coil for dual-purpose functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate inductor is added for arc detection, then arc detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the electric motor's inductive coil serve dual purposes: driving the contactor mechanism and detecting electrical arcs. The control circuit monitors the coil's electrical characteristics to detect arcs between terminals or between the meter and power line, eliminating the need for a separate inductor while maintaining arc detection capability.
2Reliability
If additional arc detection components are added, then arc detection reliability is improved, but testing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates arc detection functionality into the existing motor inductive coil, which is already a tested and validated component. This eliminates the need for separate testing protocols for additional arc detection components, reducing testing complexity while maintaining detection reliability.
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 design simplifies arc detection while maintaining operational reliability, reducing the need for separate inductive components and enhancing testing efficiency by integrating arc detection with existing inductive components, thus improving the overall meter's performance and ease of testing.
Implementation Method 1
an arc detection circuit electrically connected to the inductive coil, the arc detection circuit being configured to detect electrical arcs between the first pair of terminals and the power line
Implementation Method 2
a current sensor electrically connected to the inductive coil to enable measurement of an electric current that flows between the first pair of terminals through the first electrical conductor
Data Source
AI summary
An electricity meter includes a pair of terminals configured to connect in-line with a power line, an electrical conductor within the electric meter connecting the pair of terminals through a switch that includes an electric motor with an inductive coil, an inductive coil coupled to the electrical conductor, and a metrology circuit operatively connected to the electric motor in the switch. The metrology circuit includes a current sensor electrically connected to the inductive coil to measure an electric current that flows between the pair of terminals through the electrical conductor and an arc detection circuit electrically connected to one of the inductive coil coupled to the electrical conductor or the inductive coil in the electric motor, the arc detection circuit being configured to detect electrical arcs between the pair of terminals and the power line.