Embedded Bus Apparatus for Circuit Interrupters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex electrical installations with multiple circuit interrupters and devices require extensive wiring, leading to complications in maintenance and limited accessibility, especially in confined spaces like aerospace and marine applications, and pose risks from unintended shorting between power sources.
Innovation Solution
A bus apparatus comprising a thermally conductive and electrically resistive substrate with embedded conductive bus elements and connection elements, allowing multiple circuit interrupters and devices to be connected efficiently, reducing the need for extensive wiring and ensuring electrical isolation between power sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each protected circuit has its own circuit interrupter and devices are electrically connected with circuits, then circuit protection and device functionality are ensured, but wiring complexity increases and maintenance accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple circuit interrupters and electrical devices onto a single bus apparatus with a common substrate. Multiple connection elements extend from the substrate to connect various devices, consolidating what would otherwise require separate wiring paths into a unified structure. This merging reduces overall wiring complexity while maintaining individual circuit protection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The bus apparatus serves as a universal mounting and connection structure that can accommodate multiple different types of electrical devices and circuit interrupters simultaneously. The standardized connection elements and substrate design allow various devices to be interconnected through a common platform, reducing the need for custom wiring for each device connection.
2Ease of operation
If extensive wiring is used to connect circuit interrupters and devices, then electrical connections are established, but maintenance accessibility and space utilization worsen in confined environments
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple connection points and circuit interrupters onto a single bus apparatus, the patent reduces the extent of wiring required. Devices connect to the bus rather than requiring extensive point-to-point wiring, making the system more compact and easier to maintain in confined spaces.
3Reliability
If wires from multiple power sources are physically segregated, then shorting between power sources is prevented, but wiring complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source identification and isolation functionality into the bus apparatus structure itself. The substrate provides inherent electrical isolation between connection elements, and the bus design inherently separates wires from different power sources through their physical mounting locations on the substrate, eliminating the need for additional segregation measures.
4Reliability
If multiple circuit interrupters are installed in limited space, then circuit protection is provided, but accessibility for repairs and routine maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bus apparatus merges multiple circuit interrupters into a single integrated unit that can be accessed as one component during maintenance. This consolidation improves accessibility compared to having multiple separate interrupters distributed throughout the electrical system, while still providing comprehensive circuit protection.
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 bus apparatus simplifies electrical connections, reduces wiring complexity, and prevents shorting by enabling efficient electrical and thermal management, enhancing maintenance accessibility and safety in constrained environments.
Implementation Method 1
The substrate is formed of a material that is structured to be electrically resistive and thermally conductive within the ranges of voltage and temperature in which the bus apparatus is structured to typically operate
Implementation Method 2
The substrate is formed of a material that is structured to be electrically resistive and thermally conductive
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5
AI summary
An improved bus apparatus (4) includes a generally rigid substrate (16) and a conductor apparatus (20). The conductor apparatus includes a number of bus elements (40) that are embedded within the substrate and which are electrically connected with connection elements (36ABC) that each have an end (78) that is situated external to the substrate. Additional connection elements (36D) extend through the substrate and are connectable with loads (12). Circuit interrupters (8) and other devices are connectable with pairs (90) of the connector elements, wherein one connector element is connected with a line and wherein another connector element is connected with a load. The bus apparatus is formed by receiving the bus elements in channels (64) formed in layers (24ABCD) of a thermally conductive and electrically insulative material, and the layers are bonded together with the use of a bonding material (28) to cause the bus elements to become laminated within the interior of the substrate.