Hybrid Relay With Conductive Liquid Switching for Fast Low-Heat Transfer
Solution Overview
Problem
Current relay technologies face challenges in achieving fast transfer times while maintaining efficiency, particularly in applications like data centers and power distribution systems, where both speed and minimal heat generation are critical, and traditional solid-state relays waste power as heat.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid relay design using mechanical and electrically conductive liquid components, with a moveable electrode structure accelerated and decelerated by an electromagnetic drive system, and solid-state relays with enhanced heat dissipation methods, such as multiple heat sink elements and a sub-miniature fan, to achieve fast and efficient switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional solid-state relays are used for fast switching, then transfer time is reduced, but power loss increases and heat generation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines mechanical relay components (moveable electrode structure, contacts) with solid-state electromagnetic drive system into a hybrid relay. This merging allows the device to achieve fast transfer times comparable to solid-state relays while maintaining the efficiency and minimal heat generation characteristics of mechanical relays, thereby resolving the contradiction between speed and energy loss.
2Loss of energy
If mechanical relays are used for efficient power switching, then power loss is minimized, but transfer time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical coil drive system with an electromagnetic drive system that uses solid-state components. This substitution eliminates the need for large mechanical moving parts while maintaining the efficient power switching characteristics of mechanical relays, achieving both low power loss and fast transfer times.
3Speed
If solid-state relays are used for fast switching, then transfer time is reduced, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid relay merges mechanical contact components with solid-state electromagnetic actuation. The mechanical contacts provide efficient power switching with minimal heat generation, while the solid-state electromagnetic drive provides fast response times, thereby resolving the contradiction between speed and heat generation.
4Speed
If hybrid relay design is implemented, then transfer time is reduced and efficiency is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the drive system from the traditional mechanical relay design, separating the electromagnetic actuation function from the mechanical switching function. This extraction allows for optimization of each component independently, achieving fast transfer times and high efficiency while managing device complexity through functional separation.
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 hybrid relay provides fast response times comparable to solid-state devices with minimal heat generation like mechanical relays, and the solid-state relay design enables efficient power switching with reduced waste heat, suitable for critical applications like data centers and power distribution.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic drive system operative to accelerate the moveable electrode structure
Implementation Method 2
an electrically conductive liquid system for establishing an electrical contact, via a conductive liquid, between the first and second contacts
Implementation Method 3
multiple heat sink elements and a sub-miniature fan, to achieve fast and efficient switching
Implementation Method 4
a sub-miniature fan
Data Source
AI summary
A relay (1) includes a motor (20) and a primary electrical switch assembly (132).Primary electrical switching attachment points (113) are switched by a moveable switching link (101) which is moved in and out of the switch on an switched off position axially by the motor (20) in response to electrical signals delivered to the coil (26) via the flexible leads (32, 33). The switching link (101) includes a mercury reservoir (119). A piezoelectric disk bender (105) displaces mercury to close the gaps between the attachment points (113).