Pyrotechnic Switch With Air-Insulated Contacts for Fast Medium-Voltage Bridging
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing converters require fast-closing switches that are both compact and inexpensive, capable of operating in the medium-voltage range without the need for vacuum environments, which current technologies struggle to achieve efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A pyrotechnic drive-powered switch with a contact arrangement in an air atmosphere, where the moving contact piece is part of the pyrotechnic actuator, allowing for fast switching times and reduced costs by eliminating the need for a separate moving contact piece and vacuum environment, utilizing a clamping conical contact design for secure current paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the contact arrangement is arranged in a vacuum environment to achieve fast switching, then the switching speed is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the environmental parameter from vacuum to atmospheric pressure, eliminating the need for vacuum chambers while achieving fast switching through optimized pyrotechnic actuator design and contact geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the vacuum environment requirement, removing the associated complex sealing and maintenance systems while maintaining fast switching performance through alternative design approaches
2Speed
If the contact arrangement is arranged in a vacuum environment to achieve fast switching, then the switching speed is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the environmental parameter from vacuum to atmospheric pressure, eliminating the need for expensive vacuum chambers and sealing systems while achieving fast switching through optimized pyrotechnic actuator design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable pyrotechnic actuator that provides extremely fast switching at low cost, accepting that the actuator is consumed in the process rather than requiring expensive reusable vacuum systems
3Speed
If the distance between contact pieces is reduced to achieve fast closing, then the switching time is improved, but the dielectric strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the environmental parameter from vacuum to atmospheric pressure, which provides natural air insulation that maintains dielectric strength even at larger contact distances, eliminating the need to minimize gap size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air as an intermediary insulating medium between the contact pieces, which maintains dielectric strength at atmospheric pressure and allows larger contact distances without compromising insulation performance
4Reliability
If a separate moving contact piece is used to ensure reliable current path, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the moving contact piece with the pyrotechnic actuator's displacement element, combining the switching function with the actuation mechanism to eliminate separate components while maintaining reliable current path through the actuator's conductive housing
Solution Approach 2:
The pyrotechnic actuator's displacement element serves multiple functions: it acts as the moving contact piece for switching, provides the actuating force through pyrotechnic expansion, and its conductive housing ensures reliable current path, eliminating the need for separate dedicated components
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
Enables switching times under 1 ms with longer contact distances, suitable for medium-voltage ranges, and maintains dielectric strength in an air atmosphere, providing a cost-effective and reliable solution for high-stress applications.
Implementation Method 1
the pyrotechnic actuator comprises a pyrotechnic force element and an ignition circuit for triggering the pyrotechnic force element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
In order to provide a switch (1) for bridging submodules of a converter having a contact arrangement which has a stationary contact piece (12), which is in electrical contact with a stationary contact connection terminal (2), and a moving contact piece (11), which can move relative to the stationary contact piece (12) and is arranged in a disconnected position at a distance from the stationary contact piece (12) and makes contact with the stationary contact piece (12) in a contact position, and having a pyrotechnic drive (4) for generating a drive movement which can be introduced into the moving contact piece (11), which switch is compact and simple, the invention proposes that the switching contact is arranged in atmospheric air at atmospheric pressure.