Fault Current Limiter Using Power Semiconductor and Resistor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fault current limiters using superconductors face high energy consumption and increased costs due to the need for multiple superconductors, which also lead to larger sizes and higher installation and cooling costs, and previous solutions have not effectively addressed the issue of electric arc currents across circuit breakers.

Innovation Solution

A fault current limiter design that employs a power semiconductor element and a resistance element in parallel, with a detector and switch elements to quickly detect and cut off fault currents, eliminating the need for superconductors and reducing energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a large number of superconductors is used to minimize energy consumption, then energy consumption is reduced, but manufacturing cost and installation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive superconductors with conventional resistors that can be easily manufactured and replaced. The resistor-based current limiting device uses standard electrical components instead of costly superconducting materials, achieving the same current limiting function without the need for cryogenic cooling systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the superconductor from the system and replaces it with conventional resistive elements. By removing the superconducting component, the system eliminates the need for expensive materials and complex cooling infrastructure while maintaining the essential fault current limiting capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Use of energy by moving object

If a large number of superconductors is used to minimize energy consumption, then energy consumption is reduced, but installation cost and cooling cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs standard resistive components that are inexpensive to install and maintain. These conventional resistors can be easily integrated into existing electrical systems without requiring specialized installation procedures or expensive cooling infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

By removing the superconductor and its associated cooling system, the patent eliminates the complex installation requirements and ongoing cooling costs that would be necessary to maintain superconducting operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If capacity of the resistive superconducting fault current limiter becomes large, then fault current limiting capability is improved, but size of linear coils and number of windings increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault current limiting capabilityVSAvoidsize of linear coils

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces large superconducting coils with compact resistive elements. The resistor-based design achieves the same current limiting capacity in a much smaller physical footprint, eliminating the need for large linear coils and extensive windings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Ease of manufacture

If hybrid-type superconducting fault current limiter is used, then installation cost is reduced, but electric arc current occurs across circuit breaker

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation costVSAvoidelectric arc current

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a purely resistive design without superconducting components or complex circuit breakers. This simpler architecture eliminates the electric arc issue that plagues hybrid superconducting systems, as the resistive elements can handle fault currents without generating arcs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 design effectively limits fault currents with reduced energy consumption and lower costs, enabling easier control and reliable detection of fault currents using power semiconductor switches and fuses, thereby improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of fault current management.

Implementation Method 1

a resistance element connected in parallel to the power semiconductor element to block the fault current

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

a detector detecting an inflow of a fault current and transmitting a turn-off signal to a power semiconductor element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS8760834B2Fault current limiter

Publication Date: 2014.06.24 LSIS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a fault current limiter, the limiter including a detector detecting an inflow of a fault current and transmitting a turn-off signal to a power semiconductor element; the power semiconductor element changed to an OFF state by the turn-off signal; and a resistance element connected in parallel to the power semiconductor element to block the fault current.