Resistive Clamp for Aircraft Voltage Spike Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrical power systems, particularly in aircraft systems, voltage spikes occur when loads change, exceeding rated voltage ranges and potentially damaging components due to energy dissipation in existing systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and system involving a resistive clamp with multiple individually connectible circuits, each comprising a resistor bank and triacs, connected to a three-phase power source during voltage spikes, with simultaneous activation and sequential disconnection to manage energy dissipation safely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a resistive clamp is connected to dissipate voltage spike energy, then voltage spike protection is improved, but sudden disconnection can cause secondary voltage spikes
Solution Approach 1:
The resistive clamp is divided into multiple independently controllable resistive clamp circuits that can be disconnected sequentially rather than all at once. This segmentation allows the load to be reduced gradually, preventing sudden load changes that would cause secondary voltage spikes while still providing effective voltage spike protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistive clamp circuits are disconnected in sequential periods or stages rather than simultaneously. Each circuit remains connected for a predetermined time period before being disconnected, creating a periodic action pattern that gradually reduces the load on the power system and prevents abrupt transitions that would generate secondary voltage spikes.
2Productivity
If multiple resistive clamp circuits are disconnected simultaneously, then the clamp is removed quickly, but sudden load reduction causes secondary voltage spikes
Solution Approach 1:
The resistive clamp is divided into multiple independently controllable resistive clamp circuits that can be disconnected sequentially rather than all at once. This segmentation allows the load to be reduced gradually, preventing sudden load changes that would cause secondary voltage spikes while still providing effective voltage spike protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistive clamp circuits are disconnected in sequential periods or stages rather than simultaneously. Each circuit remains connected for a predetermined time period before being disconnected, creating a periodic action pattern that gradually reduces the load on the power system and prevents abrupt transitions that would generate secondary voltage spikes.
3Loss of energy
If a single large resistive clamp is used, then voltage spike energy is dissipated effectively, but the system complexity and heat management become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The resistive clamp is divided into multiple independently controllable resistive clamp circuits that can be disconnected sequentially rather than all at once. This segmentation allows the load to be reduced gradually, preventing sudden load changes that would cause secondary voltage spikes while still providing effective voltage spike protection.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple resistive clamp circuits are combined to work together as a unified voltage spike protection system. Each circuit contains its own switching device and can be controlled independently, but they function collectively to provide comprehensive voltage spike protection with distributed heat management.
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 minimizes voltage spikes by safely dissipating excess energy within the resistive clamp elements, reducing the risk of component damage and preventing secondary spikes.
Implementation Method 1
each resistive clamp circuit comprises a set of triacs operable to individually remove one of said resistive clamp circuits from said resistive clamp
Implementation Method 2
safely dissipating excess energy within the resistive clamp elements
Data Source
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Figure 6
AI summary
A voltage spike protection system (10) minimizes a voltage spike by connecting a resistive clamp (40) to a power source (20) when the voltage spike is detected. The voltage spike detection system disconnects the resistive clamp after a portion of the voltage spike is dissipated.