Parallel Spark Gap Ignition Control for Selective Surge Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surge protection systems for power supply networks often result in unnecessary ignition of spark gaps, leading to premature aging and reduced protection levels due to simultaneous ignition, even under low overvoltage conditions, and fail to effectively manage high pulse currents.
Innovation Solution
The use of voltage-dependent switching elements to connect the ignition electrodes of parallel spark gaps, allowing targeted ignition only at high loads, thereby decoupling the ignition process and adjusting the response voltage to prevent unnecessary spark gap activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all spark gaps are housed in a single enclosure and coupled to ignite simultaneously, then the protection system provides uniform protection across all cable branches, but the effectiveness of individual protection paths is significantly reduced and the ignition speed becomes slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the common enclosure into separate individual enclosures, each housing a single spark gap. This segmentation allows each spark gap to ignite independently and simultaneously without waiting for arc plasma to fill a large common space, thereby improving ignition speed while maintaining uniform protection effectiveness across all cable branches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a central ignition aid with a central ignition electrode and ignition circuit that pre-establishes the ignition capability for all spark gaps. This preliminary action ensures that when overvoltage occurs, all spark gaps can ignite immediately and simultaneously without delay, improving both ignition speed and protection effectiveness.
2Reliability
If auxiliary electrodes are directly or indirectly connected to trigger parallel spark gaps, then simultaneous ignition is achieved, but the fixed potential connection causes all surge arresters to trigger simultaneously regardless of overvoltage magnitude
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the fixed potential connection of auxiliary electrodes with a dynamic resistive network containing variable resistors. This allows the potential distribution and response thresholds of parallel spark gaps to be dynamically adjusted according to different overvoltage magnitudes, enabling selective ignition based on actual protection needs while maintaining simultaneous ignition capability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces variable resistors in the auxiliary electrode connections to change the electrical parameters (resistance values) of the circuit. By adjusting these resistance parameters, the response thresholds of different spark gaps can be tailored to match different overvoltage levels, providing adaptability while preserving simultaneous ignition reliability through the shared ignition aid.
3Reliability
If inductors are used in discharge branches to generate pulses for parallel surge arresters, then simultaneous triggering is achieved, but the coils increase voltage drop and require high surge current withstand capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the inductors from the discharge branches by using a shared central ignition aid instead. The ignition aid generates the necessary pulse current through a separate ignition circuit, removing the need for individual inductors in each discharge branch. This reduces device complexity, decreases voltage drop, and lowers surge current requirements while maintaining reliable simultaneous triggering of all spark gaps.
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 approach reduces wear and tear on spark gaps, enhances protection levels by ensuring ignition only when necessary, and allows for more efficient distribution of high lightning surge currents, increasing the lifespan and cost-effectiveness of the surge protection system.
Implementation Method 1
connecting the ignition electrodes of the spark gaps via a voltage-dependent switching element
Implementation Method 2
when an overvoltage exceeds a specific response threshold... Upon ignition, an arc forms in the respective spark gap
Implementation Method 3
Upon ignition, an arc forms in the respective spark gap
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an over-voltage protection system for a single or multi-phase current supply grid, consisting of at least two triggered spark gaps connected in parallel, wherein the spark gaps have two primary electrodes and one ignition electrode, which is is connected to one of the primary electrodes by means of a control. According to the invention, for a selective, on-demand connecting of an another of the parallel-connected spark gaps, the ignition electrodes of the spark gaps are connected by means of a voltage-independent switching element, such that the additional spark gap ignites when the response value from the series connection consisting of the voltage-dependent switching element and the ignition gap of the ignition electrode of the additional spark gap is reached.