Multi-Spark Gap Layout for Low Protective Level and Insulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-spark gaps used for overvoltage protection have a high power-follow current extinguishing capacity but also a protective level that is often too high for low-voltage applications, making them unsuitable for certain electrical systems.
Innovation Solution
The multi-spark gap design features a larger distance between the first electrode and the adjacent second electrode to form the first individual spark gap, while reducing distances between other electrodes to lower the response voltage, accompanied by an ignition aid with a resistive ignition element and a voltage-limiting element to ensure sufficient insulation strength and controlled ignition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the distance between electrodes is reduced to lower response voltage, then the protective level decreases, but the insulation strength becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different distance values to different spark gaps: the first spark gap has a larger distance (1-3 mm) to maintain insulation strength, while subsequent spark gaps have smaller distances (0.1-0.5 mm) to achieve low protective level. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each spark gap's distance according to its specific functional requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-spark gap is segmented into multiple individual spark gaps with different electrode distances. The first spark gap is segmented with a larger distance for insulation, while subsequent spark gaps are segmented with smaller distances for voltage limitation. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve both high insulation strength and low protective level.
2Reliability
If multiple individual spark gaps are connected in series to increase power-follow current extinguishing capacity, then the extinguishing capacity improves, but the response voltage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different distance characteristics to different spark gaps in the series connection: the first spark gap has a larger distance for insulation, while subsequent spark gaps have optimally small distances (0.1-0.5 mm) to minimize their individual response voltages. This local optimization allows the series connection to achieve high extinguishing capacity while maintaining low overall response voltage.
3Strength
If a large distance is maintained between all electrodes to ensure insulation strength, then the insulation strength is sufficient, but the protective level becomes too high for low-voltage applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality differentiation by setting the first spark gap distance to 1-3 mm for adequate insulation strength, while setting subsequent spark gap distances to 0.1-0.5 mm for low protective level. This localized optimization resolves the contradiction by applying different distance criteria to different functional zones within the same multi-spark gap system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the electrode distances into two categories: the first interval is segmented with a larger distance for insulation purposes, while subsequent intervals are segmented with smaller distances for voltage limitation. This segmentation strategy enables the system to simultaneously satisfy both insulation requirements and low-voltage application requirements.
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 design achieves a high power-follow current extinguishing capacity with a low protective level, suitable for low-voltage systems like 230/400 V, by reducing the response voltage and maintaining adequate insulation strength through the use of an ignition aid.
Implementation Method 1
an ignition aid 9 for igniting the first individual spark gap 41, which aid has at least a resistive ignition element 10
Implementation Method 2
an ignition aid 9 for igniting the first individual spark gap 41, which aid has at least a resistive ignition element 10 and a voltage-limiting element 11
Implementation Method 3
spark gap arrangements with multiple electrodes have been used for decades in the field of overvoltage protection of electrical devices and systems
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-spark gap having both a high power-follow current extinguishing capacity as well as a relatively low protective level in which a distance x1 between a first electrode and an adjacent second electrode, which together form a first individual spark gap, is larger than respective distances x2 between other adjacent electrode pairs of additional individual spark gaps. The distance x1 is at least 0.5 mm and the distances x2 of the additional individual spark gaps are at most 0.2 mm. Additionally, an ignition aid for igniting the first individual spark gap is provided, which aid has at least a resistive ignition element and a voltage-limiting element, wherein the ignition element is connected to an electric-arc combustion chamber of the first individual spark gap and is electrically connected on the one side to the first electrode and on the other side via the voltage-limiting element to the second contact element.