Kinetic Actuator for Vacuum Interrupter Micro-Welding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuator technologies for circuit interrupters face challenges in efficiently bypassing reactance injection systems during faults, such as grounding, short-circuiting, or open circuiting, which can confuse fault localization and increase energy requirements due to micro-welded points between contacts, and require a normally closed switch that operates at low power levels without external signals.
Innovation Solution
An actuator using a movable connector or drive rod driven by a magnetic structure that accumulates kinetic energy through pre-travel before transferring momentum to break micro-welded points and switch contacts, allowing for reliable transition from closed to open positions with reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional actuators are used to open the switch contacts, then the switch can be opened, but micro-welded points between contacts increase the energy required to open the switch beyond its normal range
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator performs preliminary action by accelerating a mass (such as a movable magnetic structure or armature) before contact with the drive rod. This pre-acceleration stores kinetic energy that is then transferred to the drive rod and contacts during the opening operation, providing the additional force needed to break micro-welded points without requiring excessive energy from the main power source.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and parameters of the actuator system by utilizing kinetic energy transfer. The movable mass is accelerated to a specific velocity, creating a momentum transfer event that temporarily changes the force parameters applied to the contacts. This kinetic impact provides the high peak force needed to break welds while keeping the average power consumption low.
2Reliability
If the actuator operates at high power levels to ensure reliable switching, then switching reliability improves, but heating increases and power consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator uses periodic or pulsed action rather than continuous high power operation. The magnetic structure is energized in pulses to create the necessary kinetic energy transfer, then de-energized. This periodic operation achieves reliable switching when needed while minimizing average power consumption and associated heating effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces a purely mechanical or continuously powered system with one that uses kinetic energy transfer from an accelerated mass. This substitution allows the system to achieve high peak forces for reliable switching without requiring continuous high power input, thereby reducing overall heating and power consumption.
3Reliability
If the switch is designed to be normally closed for bypass functionality, then fault isolation capability improves, but the actuator must reliably maintain closed position without external power signals
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is designed to be self-servicing in the normally closed state, maintaining the closed position through its inherent mechanical or magnetic design without requiring continuous external power or control signals. The system only requires intermittent activation to transition to the open state when needed for fault isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention inverts the typical approach by designing the actuator to naturally maintain the closed (passive) state without power, rather than requiring power to maintain an open state. The kinetic energy transfer mechanism is triggered only when opening is required, allowing the system to reliably maintain its normally closed bypass configuration without continuous external control.
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 actuator enhances switching reliability and reduces energy requirements by breaking micro-welded points and efficiently transitioning contacts from closed to open, minimizing heating and maintaining the open state without external power, thus improving system stability and fault isolation.
Implementation Method 1
The magnetic structure is moved a pre-travel distance thereby accumulating kinetic energy, before it acts on a surface of the movable connector or drive rod thereby transferring a momentum
Data Source
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AI summary
An actuator for circuit interrupter has a stationary magnetic boss, a movable magnetic armature and a drive rod. The drive rod is aligned on an axis of the circuit interrupter. The drive rod has two stable positions, circuit interrupter closed and circuit interrupter open. The drive rod has a surface that the armature contacts to move the drive rod from the circuit interrupter closed position to the circuit interrupter open position. In the circuit interrupter closed position, the armature and the surface are separated by a pre-travel distance. The armature is to move towards the stationary magnetic boss and contact the surface, to initiate a circuit interrupter disconnecting motion of the drive rod with a transfer of momentum to the drive rod.