Inverter Fire Alarm Using Optical Waveguide
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing converter arrangements with modular multi-stage converters for power conversion and fire monitoring are expensive due to their complex structure, necessitating a cost-effective and reliable fire detection method.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an optical waveguide with temperature-sensitive diaphragm elements that reduce light intensity as temperature increases, allowing for fire detection through a simple and reliable fire alarm system, which can be calibrated to trigger warnings based on temperature changes and utilize existing components from photo technology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional temperature sensors are used for each semiconductor module, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single optical waveguide serves multiple monitoring functions by detecting temperature changes at multiple locations along the converter arrangement. The waveguide acts as a universal sensor that replaces multiple individual temperature sensors, providing fire monitoring across the entire system through one integrated component rather than requiring separate sensors for each semiconductor module
Solution Approach 2:
The optical waveguide creates an optical copy or representation of the thermal state across the converter arrangement. By detecting light intensity changes at different positions along the waveguide, the system obtains a distributed temperature profile without physically contacting each heat source, effectively copying thermal information through optical means
2Reliability
If traditional fire monitoring systems are implemented, then reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical waveguide with integrated screen elements provides a cost-effective fire monitoring solution that replaces expensive traditional sensor systems. The waveguide can be implemented using relatively inexpensive optical materials and components, making the overall fire detection system more economical while maintaining reliability through the distributed monitoring capability along the entire converter arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The optical waveguide inherently provides fire detection functionality through its interaction with thermal energy from fires. The screen elements within the waveguide automatically respond to temperature changes by modulating light transmission, eliminating the need for complex external sensing mechanisms or power-consuming active sensors at each monitoring point
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 proposed solution provides an inexpensive and reliable fire monitoring system that effectively detects temperature changes indicative of fires, minimizing false triggers and offering protection against electromagnetic coupling, while allowing for precise location determination of faults using pulsed light signals.
Implementation Method 1
each screen element reducing a light intensity of a light signal passing the screen element when the temperature rises on the screen element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a converter assembly (1), comprising a plurality of electrically connected switching modules (3), which each have semiconductor switches, and a fire alarm system (8) for monitoring the converter assembly for fire. The invention is characterized in that the fire alarm system comprises at least one optical waveguide (10a-d), which has an aperture element at each of a plurality of predefined locations spaced apart from each other. Each aperture element (12-19), in the event of a temperature rise at the aperture element, reduces the light intensity of a light signal passing through the aperture element. The invention further relates to a method for monitoring the converter assembly (1) for fire.