Grounding Device Thyristor Bypass Arc Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical grounding devices are slower and more expensive due to reliance on magnetic actuators and other costly components, and they often suffer from prolonged conductive states during switching and reopening, leading to increased wear and potential damage from fault arcs.
Innovation Solution
An electrical grounding device with a bypass mechanism using thyristors in parallel and a control system that switches the bypass on before contact closure, allowing rapid grounding and reopening, and avoiding arc formation by making the bypass conductive early in the switching process, thus reducing wear and maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If magnetic actuators or gas micro-generator actuators are used for grounding, then rapid grounding is achieved, but the device becomes more expensive and slower than the invention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex magnetic actuators or gas micro-generator actuators with a simple spring mechanism and electronic switching device (thyristor). The spring provides mechanical force to close the contacts, while the thyristor electronically controls the bypass, eliminating the need for expensive and complex actuation systems while achieving faster grounding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the actuation function from complex magnetic or gas-based systems and separates it into simpler components: a spring for mechanical movement and an electronic switching device for control. This extraction allows each component to be optimized independently, resulting in a simpler overall system.
2Reliability
If the electronic switching device remains conductive during the entire closing and reopening process, then the bypass remains active, but the electronic device experiences increased wear and potential damage from fault arcs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by turning off the electronic switching device (thyristor) before the movable contact fully closes to the fixed contact. The control system detects when the bypass current is sufficient and提前 blocks the thyristor, preventing it from being exposed to fault arcs during the closing process. This preliminary blocking action protects the electronic device while ensuring the bypass has already performed its grounding function.
3Loss of time
If conventional switches are used for grounding, then the device structure is simple, but the switching time is prolonged to 30 milliseconds due to the need to wait for contact junction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by activating the bypass with the electronic switching device before the movable contact reaches the fixed contact. The thyristor is turned on during the movement, allowing current to flow through the bypass path in advance, so that grounding occurs milliseconds after fault detection rather than waiting for mechanical contact closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary bypass path with an electronic switching device that mediates the grounding process. This bypass acts as a temporary conductor that allows current to flow before the main contacts close, effectively bridging the time gap between fault detection and mechanical contact closure.
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 extremely fast switching times, minimizing damage from fault arcs and allowing rapid return to service by avoiding prolonged conductive states and using cost-effective, reliable components.
Implementation Method 1
a branch (7) connecting the movable contact (6) to the fixed contact (4) and provided with an electronic device (8) capable of switching between a blocking state in which the branch (7) is non-conductive and a passing state in which the branch (7) is conductive
Implementation Method 2
It may include, in the case of thyristors, an electrical circuit for applying a voltage, passing through thyristor gates, so as to trigger them, and turn the thyristors on
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A method for closing an electrical grounding device (1) comprising a fixed contact (4) connected to an electrical circuit and a movable contact (6) connected to ground and actuable between an open position in which the movable contact (6) is a distance from the fixed contact (4) and a closed position in which the movable contact (6) is connected to the fixed contact (4). To transition from the open position to the closed position, the method switches an electronic switching device (8) located on a branch (7) connecting the movable contact (6) to the fixed contact (4), so as to make the branch conductive before a distance between the movable contact (6) and the fixed contact (4) becomes less than an arc ignition threshold distance.