Pyrotechnic Circuit Breaker Grounding to Prevent Aircraft Overvoltage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical circuit protection systems in aircraft are inadequate for high-voltage and high-current environments, as they fail to quickly isolate faulty electrical lines without causing overvoltages that can damage circuit elements.
Innovation Solution
An electrical circuit breaker assembly that includes a pyrotechnic-activated cut-off device to sever a conductive element in a predetermined zone and a pyrotechnic-activated contactor to connect the downstream point of the cut-off zone to an earth conductor, thereby isolating the faulty line and preventing overvoltage propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a circuit breaker opens a high-voltage electrical line to isolate a fault, then the faulty line is isolated quickly, but significant overvoltages are generated that can destroy circuit elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by connecting a discharge device (resistor or capacitor) across the circuit breaker terminals before opening the circuit. This pre-positioned discharge path allows the inductive energy to be safely dissipated or stored when the circuit opens, preventing dangerous overvoltages from damaging other circuit elements while maintaining reliable fault isolation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge device acts as an intermediary element between the inductive electrical line and the circuit breaker. When the circuit breaker opens, the discharge device mediates the energy release by providing a controlled path for the inductive kickback, transforming the harmful overvoltage into a manageable discharge process that protects vulnerable circuit components
2Reliability
If traditional electrical protection devices are used in high-voltage aircraft circuits, then circuit protection is provided, but the volume, weight and cost of components increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the protection system by using a simple discharge device (resistor or capacitor) instead of complex traditional protection equipment. This parameter change allows the system to handle high-voltage inductive kickback with minimal weight and volume while maintaining effective circuit protection, directly addressing the aircraft's sensitivity to component mass
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 solution effectively isolates faulty electrical power supply lines in aircraft, limiting the propagation of electrical faults and reducing the risk of overvoltage damage, while avoiding the need for oversized components.
Implementation Method 1
a pyrotechnic element, which gives the short-circuit assembly a very short activation time
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical circuit breaker assembly, and a method for its operation, including a conductive element of an electrical circuit and a cut-off device configured to be activated by a pyrotechnic element and that is configured to sever the conductive element in a cut-off zone delimited by a downstream point. The electrical circuit breaker assembly further includes a contactor element configured to be activated by a pyrotechnic element, the contactor element being configured to connect the downstream point of the cut-off zone to an earth conductor of the electrical circuit prior to a severing of the conductive element or simultaneously with the severing of the conductive element.