Electromagnetic Circuit Breaker Switching With Low Arcing Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional circuit breakers, both mechanical and solid-state, face limitations in switching speed, conduction loss, and cost, with mechanical breakers being slow and solid-state breakers having high conduction losses and requiring water-cooled radiators.
Innovation Solution
A circuit breaker design incorporating a mechanical switch circuit with a movable and stationary contact, driven by a drive module comprising movable and stationary coils that attract or repel based on current direction, and optionally paired with a solid-state switch circuit to minimize arcing time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a mechanical circuit breaker is used, then the structure is simple and cost is low, but the switching time is long and breaking speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical linkage apparatuses (springs, hooks, levers, armatures) with an electromagnetic drive system consisting of a movable coil and stationary coil. The electromagnetic force generated by current interaction between coils directly drives the movable contact, eliminating complex mechanical transmission components and significantly reducing switching time while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Speed
If a solid-state circuit breaker is used, then the switching time is very fast, but the conduction loss is high and water-cooled radiator is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the advantages of both mechanical and solid-state circuit breakers by integrating a mechanical switch circuit with an electromagnetic drive system. The mechanical contacts provide low conduction loss and simple structure, while the electromagnetic drive achieves fast switching speeds. This hybrid approach eliminates the need for water-cooled radiators while maintaining fast switching performance.
3Device complexity
If a mechanical circuit breaker is used, then the structure is simple, but the arcing time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic drive system replaces traditional mechanical actuation, enabling faster contact separation speed. The movable coil and stationary coil generate electromagnetic force that rapidly moves the movable contact away from the stationary contact, significantly reducing the duration of the electric arc during circuit breaking while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 design reduces switching time, minimizes conduction loss, and extends the mechanical switch circuit's lifespan by simplifying linkage apparatuses and utilizing a parallel solid-state switch to avoid arcing.
Implementation Method 1
the movable coil and the stationary coil attract or repel each other based on whether the current directions are the same, to enable the movable coil to drive the movable contact to be connected to or disconnected from the stationary contact
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit breaker includes a mechanical switch circuit, and the mechanical switch circuit includes a busbar, a power module, and a drive module. The power module includes a movable contact and a stationary contact that is electrically connected to the busbar. When the movable contact is connected to the stationary contact, the mechanical switch circuit is connected. The drive module includes a switch circuit, a movable coil, and a stationary coil. The movable coil and the stationary coil are disposed adjacently, the switch circuit is configured to control a current direction of the movable coil and a current direction of the stationary coil, and the movable coil and the stationary coil attract or repel each other based on whether the current directions are the same to enable the movable coil to drive the movable contact to be connected to or disconnected from the stationary contact.