Pyrotechnic Three-Phase Circuit Breaker for Rapid Current Interruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current three-phase circuit protection methods, such as fuses, often result in incomplete or delayed current breaking for slightly elevated currents, leading to potential damage to electrical systems.
Innovation Solution
A cut-off device comprising a pyrotechnic initiator, pressurizing chambers, and a movable cut-off element made of insulating material, which simultaneously breaks all three conductive portions when actuated, ensuring rapid and complete current interruption across the three phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fuses are used to protect three-phase circuits, then the device structure remains simple, but the current breaking becomes incomplete or delayed for slightly elevated currents
Solution Approach 1:
The cut-off element is divided into three separate conductive portions, each corresponding to a phase of the three-phase circuit. This segmentation allows independent breaking of each phase while maintaining a unified device structure, resolving the contradiction between reliable current breaking and structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the traditional thermal-mechanical fuse operation with a pyrotechnic initiation system that uses chemical energy to produce rapid mechanical motion. The pyrotechnic initiator generates a pressurizing gas that drives the cut-off element to move and break the conductive portions, achieving faster and more reliable current interruption
2Speed
If fuses are used for circuit protection, then the device complexity remains low, but the breaking time increases for currents slightly above rated current
Solution Approach 1:
The pyrotechnic initiator provides a periodic, impulsive action that rapidly accelerates the cut-off element. This impulsive mechanical action occurs in a very short time frame, achieving fast breaking speed while containing the complex mechanism within a compact structure
Solution Approach 2:
The pyrotechnic initiator utilizes phase transition from solid propellant to gas to generate rapid pressurization. This phase change occurs extremely quickly, driving the cut-off element to move at high speed and achieve rapid current breaking
3Reliability
If traditional fuses are used, then the device structure remains simple, but incomplete breaking can occur leading to system damage
Solution Approach 1:
The pressurizing gas acts as an intermediary between the pyrotechnic initiator and the cut-off element. It transmits the energy from the initiator to the cut-off element, ensuring complete and forceful separation of the conductive portions from the contacts, thereby guaranteeing complete breaking
Solution Approach 2:
The device combines multiple materials with different properties: pyrotechnic propellant for energy generation, insulating material for the cut-off element to prevent arcing, and conductive material for the conductive portions. This composite approach ensures reliable and complete current breaking
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 provides a reliable and rapid cut-off of electric current in three-phase circuits, enhancing safety and system lifespan by preventing incomplete phase disconnections that can cause damage.
Implementation Method 1
a pyrotechnic initiator (3) configured to change the breaking device (1) from a first current passing configuration to a second current breaking configuration
Implementation Method 2
The pyrotechnic initiator is configured to produce a pressurizing gas to pressurize the first chamber. The pressurizing gas exerts pressure on the movable cut-off element in order to set it in motion.
Implementation Method 3
the movable breaking element being set in motion towards the conductive portions in order to simultaneously break the three conductive portions by impact with the relief during the transition from the first to the second configuration
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a breaking device (1) intended to equip a three-phase circuit, comprising at least: a pyrotechnic initiator (3); a first pressure chamber (7) in communication with an outlet (S) of said pyrotechnic initiator (3); a second chamber (12) in which three conductive sections (8) are present, each of said conductive sections (8) being intended to be connected to one phase (10) of a three-phase circuit; and a movable breaking element (15) separating the first chamber (7) from the second chamber (12) and comprising at least one protrusion (17) made from an electrical insulator, said at least one protrusion (17) facing the conductive sections (8), the pyrotechnic initiator (3) being configured to make the breaking device (1) pass from a first configuration in which current can pass to a second configuration in which the current is broken, the movable breaking element (15) being moved toward the conductive sections (8) in order to simultaneously break the three conductive sections (8) via impact with the protrusion (17) during passage from the first configuration to the second.