Half Wave Expulsion Superconducting Fault Current Limiter With Integral Switch
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional superconducting fault current limiters face issues with low electric power capacity per unit length, high manufacturing costs, complex connections, instability due to increased connection points, and slow restoration to the superconducting state, making them unsuitable for real-world electric power systems.
Innovation Solution
A half-wave expulsion type superconducting fault current limiter with an integral high speed switch module that includes a driving coil, high speed switching contact point, and arc changeover switch, allowing for efficient current diversion and restriction after a half period, reducing the need for serial and parallel connections and enabling harmonious interaction with system protection elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional superconducting fault current limiters use serial and parallel connections of superconducting elements to increase electric power capacity, then the electric power capacity increases, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the current limiter into multiple independent modules, each containing a single superconducting element. These modules can be independently manufactured and tested, then connected in series or parallel to achieve the required electric power capacity. This segmentation reduces the complexity of manufacturing and testing large-capacity limiters while maintaining the ability to scale capacity through standardized module assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates universal module designs that can function in both series and parallel configurations to meet different voltage and current capacity requirements. A single module type can be used across various applications by simply changing the connection topology, eliminating the need for custom-designed complex connection structures for each capacity requirement.
2Power
If conventional superconducting fault current limiters increase the number of connection points to achieve higher capacity, then the electric power capacity increases, but the reliability decreases due to increased instability
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into independent modules with isolated connection points, the invention minimizes the number of connection points within each module while allowing flexible external connections. Each module operates independently, so failures or instabilities in one module do not propagate to others, maintaining overall system reliability even as capacity increases through module multiplication.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a sufficient number of connection points to achieve the required capacity but no more than necessary. By calculating the exact capacity requirements and configuring modules accordingly, the design avoids excessive connection points that would compromise reliability, achieving the minimum necessary connections for the desired power capacity.
3Power
If conventional superconducting fault current limiters use complex connection structures to achieve higher capacity, then the electric power capacity increases, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The modular architecture allows each unit to be manufactured using standardized processes and components. This standardization reduces tooling costs, simplifies quality control, and enables economies of scale. The simplified connection structures within each module reduce manufacturing complexity and cost compared to conventional designs that require complex integrated connection structures for high-capacity applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple simple modules to create high-capacity systems, which is more cost-effective than manufacturing single complex high-capacity units. The modular approach allows parallel manufacturing of multiple identical modules, reducing overall manufacturing cost through standardization and economies of scale, while the simplified connection structures further reduce assembly costs.
4Speed
If conventional superconducting fault current limiters are designed for fast current restriction, then the current limiting speed improves, but the restoration time to superconducting state increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the system into independent modules, each module can quench and restore independently without affecting others. This isolation allows the superconducting elements to be optimally designed for fast quench response while the modular structure manages the thermal and electrical stress of restoration, enabling faster overall system recovery compared to conventional monolithic designs where all elements must restore simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows partial operation during restoration phases. When one module is restoring from quench, other modules can continue operating, providing partial current limiting capability. This partial action approach reduces the perceived restoration time for the overall system, as full functionality is restored more quickly when multiple modules operate in parallel during the recovery process.
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 solution enhances the reliability and efficiency of current limiting, reduces manufacturing and cooling costs, and allows for the use of superconducting fault current limiters in high voltage and high current capacity systems, ensuring stable electric power supply while interacting effectively with protection devices.
Implementation Method 1
a driving coil arranged on a current-dividing path connected in parallel to superconducting elements on a power supply path for generating an electronic repulsive force when an over-current divided by quench of superconducting elements is applied
Implementation Method 2
FCLs (Fault Current Limiters), which use superconducting elements, supply an electric power supplied from a power feeder to a system without loss due to unique characteristic of the superconducting elements, and restrict an over-current more than a threshold value
Implementation Method 3
when an over-current divided by quench of superconducting elements is applied
Implementation Method 4
an arc changeover switch arranged on a current limit path by being connected in parallel to the driving coil, and one side of which is integrally and axially coupled to the inter-working means
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a half-wave expulsion type superconducting fault-current limiter having an integral high speed switch module. The fault-current limiter has minimum superconducting elements and a circuit of which is formed in a hybrid type with an integral high speed switch module. The fault-current limiter supplies an electric power supplied from a power feeder to a system without loss thereof according to unique characteristics of the superconducting element when a normal current flows, and restricts an over current through a high speed switching contact point integrally inter-working with a driving coil and an arc changeover switch past a half period in a case that the over-current is generated by accidents such that electric power appliances, including circuit breakers in an electric power system, can be normally operated.