Electronic Trip Unit USB Power Boosting Circuit Breaker Tripping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial electronic trip units (ETUs) require specialized testing kits to diagnose and trip circuit breakers, but USB host devices, commonly found in computers and power supplies, lack the necessary power to perform these functions due to voltage and current limitations.
Innovation Solution
An ETU configuration with a peripheral port, power converter, and energy-storage device that receives a low voltage input from an external device, converts it, and provides a higher voltage output to a tripping mechanism when sufficient, enabling the ETU to trip a circuit breaker without a specialized testing kit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If USB host devices are used to power ETU, then ease of operation and accessibility are improved, but sufficient power delivery for tripping mechanism is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an energy storage device as an intermediary between the USB host device and the tripping mechanism. The energy storage device receives power from the USB host, stores it, and then releases the stored energy to power the tripping mechanism when needed, thereby enabling USB devices to indirectly power the high-power tripping function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal distribution of power delivery by accumulating energy over time in the energy storage device during normal operation, then releasing it in a high-power pulse when tripping is required. This transforms the power delivery profile from continuous low-power USB supply to intermittent high-power tripping demand.
2Power
If specialized testing kits are used to trip circuit breaker, then sufficient power and diagnostic capability are achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the ETU multi-functional by enabling it to accept power from common USB host devices in addition to its traditional power sources. This universality allows the same ETU to be operated and tested using everyday devices like computers and smartphones, eliminating the need for specialized testing equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The ETU with USB power capability allows users to perform self-diagnosis and self-testing using their own personal devices, eliminating the need for external specialized testing kits and professional diagnostic equipment.
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 ETUs to trip circuit breakers using power from USB host devices, ensuring proper diagnostics and protection without the need for a specialized testing kit, by boosting the input voltage to the required threshold for tripping mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
convert at least a portion of the power input to a power output having a second voltage using the power converter
Implementation Method 2
an energy-storage device that is coupled to the tripping mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic trip unit (ETU) configured to trip a circuit breaker using power from an external device is provided. Additionally, a system for enabling an electronic control unit (ETU) to trip a circuit breaker using power from an external device is provided. Further, a method for enabling an electronic trip unit (ETU) to trip a circuit breaker using power from an external device is provided.