HVDC Circuit Breaker with Series Contacts and Parallel Semiconductor Switch
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high-voltage direct-current circuit breakers face challenges in reliably interrupting currents ranging from low to high interrupting currents without increasing the size of the semiconductor switch, which can lead to damage and size issues.
Innovation Solution
A circuit breaker configuration with a first switching contact, a second switching contact in series, and a semiconductor switch in parallel, where the semiconductor switch is turned on during closing and turned off during interrupting operations, allowing for reliable interruption of direct currents from low to high fault currents without increasing the semiconductor switch size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the opening distance between switching contacts is increased to achieve higher voltage interruption, then the circuit voltage interruption capability is improved, but the size of the circuit breaker increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit breaker is divided into multiple switching contacts (first switching contact, second switching contact, and third switching contact) arranged in series. Each contact handles a portion of the total voltage, allowing the system to achieve high voltage interruption capability without requiring any single contact to have an excessively large opening distance, thus controlling the overall device size.
2Reliability
If a semiconductor switch is selected for high current applications, then the interrupting current capability is improved, but the size of the semiconductor switch increases
Solution Approach 1:
The semiconductor switch is divided into multiple semiconductor switches (first, second, and third semiconductor switches) connected in parallel. Each semiconductor switch handles a portion of the total interrupting current, allowing the system to achieve high current capability without requiring any single semiconductor switch to be excessively large.
3Speed
If a semiconductor switch is used to divert current during opening operation, then the arc extinction speed is improved, but the semiconductor switch may break under high interrupting current
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple semiconductor switches are connected in parallel, distributing the current burden among them. This reduces the stress on each individual semiconductor switch during high interrupting current events, preventing breakdown while maintaining the fast arc extinction capability provided by the semiconductor switches.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit breaker is designed with multiple switching contacts and semiconductor switches configured to share the stress of interrupting current. This redundant structure provides a cushion against failure, as the distribution of current paths prevents any single component from being overloaded beyond its承受能力.
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 configuration enables reliable interruption of direct currents from low to high fault currents, ensuring the semiconductor switches are not damaged and maintaining a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
current is diverted to the semiconductor switch so that the arc generated between the switching contacts is immediately extinguished
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
According to the present invention, a direct-current circuit breaker for a high voltage is obtained, which can reliably interrupt current ranging from a low current that is lower than or equal to 1 kA to a ground-fault current exceeding 1 kA. A circuit breaker includes: a first switching contact (1a, 1b) that opens and closes a direct-current electrical path (200); a second switching contact (2a, 2b) that is connected in series with the first switching contact (1a, 1b) and opens and closes the direct-current electrical path (200); and a semiconductor switch (4a, 4b) that is connected to both ends of the second switching contact (2a, 2b) such that the semiconductor switch (4a, 4b) is in parallel with the second switching contact (2a, 2b) and that opens and closes the direct-current electrical path (200). When a closing operation is performed, the semiconductor switch (4a, 4b) is closed after the first switching contact (1a, 1b) and the second switching contact (2a, 2b) are closed, and when an interrupting operation is performed, the semiconductor switch (4a, 4b) is opened after the first switching contact (1a, 1b) and the second switching contact (2a, 2b) are opened.