Parallel Branch Actuator Circuit for Fast High-Voltage Breaker Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuator mechanisms for high-voltage circuit breakers have long acting times and reliability issues due to the use of components like transistors, which have shorter lifespans than the circuit breakers, and previous solutions either increase complexity or lead to excessive energy dissipation and insufficient magnetic flux.
Innovation Solution
An actuator circuit with two parallel branches, where one branch includes a single coil for redundancy and the other branch has a lower impedance coil in series with a switch, controlled by a switch circuit, to reduce acting time and ensure operation even if a component fails, while maintaining compliance with IEC standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a conventional coil with high inductance (1103 turns) is used to drive the plunger and ratchet mechanism, then the magnetic flux is sufficient for actuation, but the acting time increases to 5.5 milliseconds which contributes significantly to the breaking time of the circuit breaker
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator circuit is divided into two parallel branches: a first branch with a high-impedance coil for redundancy and a second branch with a low-impedance coil for rapid actuation. This segmentation allows the system to achieve fast acting time through the second branch while maintaining reliability through the first branch, resolving the contradiction between speed and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the impedance parameter of the coils by creating two distinct coils with different impedance values. The second coil has lower impedance to reduce acting time, while the first coil has higher impedance for redundancy. This parameter differentiation enables the system to meet both speed and reliability requirements simultaneously.
2Reliability
If a single transistor is used to control the coil, then the circuit complexity is reduced, but the reliability decreases because a failure of the transistor would prevent the control mechanism from operating
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit is segmented into two parallel branches with independent coils, allowing the system to tolerate a single point of failure. If one branch fails, the other can still operate, thereby improving reliability without requiring overly complex redundant control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by providing a backup coil in the first branch that is ready to take over if the second branch fails. This preparatory redundancy cushiones against potential failures, ensuring continuous operation without requiring complex real-time fault detection and switching mechanisms.
3Reliability
If a resistance element is added in series with the coil to limit current, then the current is limited to comply with IEC standards, but the energy dissipation increases significantly and the coil resistance must be very small which reduces magnetic flux
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding a resistance element that would dissipate energy, the patent changes the impedance parameter by creating a dedicated low-impedance coil in the second branch. This coil is designed with sufficient turns and wire gauge to provide the necessary magnetic flux while maintaining low impedance, thereby limiting current without significant energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the coil function with different parameters. The second coil replicates the actuation function but with optimized impedance characteristics that allow current limiting without the need for additional resistance elements, thus avoiding excessive energy dissipation.
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 circuit achieves a reduced acting time and enhanced reliability by ensuring the circuit breaker can operate even if a component fails, with lower energy dissipation and sufficient magnetic flux for actuation, meeting the speed and current requirements of high-voltage circuit breakers.
Implementation Method 1
A conventional actuator mechanism includes a coil that drives a plunger when current passes through the coil
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an actuator circuit for actuating a circuit breaker controller, the circuit being characterized in that it comprises two branches in parallel between two terminals and in thatthe first branch includes only a first coil;the second branch includes a second coil having impedance that is lower than the first, in series with a switch controlled by a switch circuit.