Solid-State Load Center for Microsecond Short-Circuit Tripping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circuit breakers take too long to interrupt short circuit faults, posing a risk of personal injury during such events.
Innovation Solution
A load center with a common instantaneous tripping unit utilizing solid state switching, such as power MOSFETs, that interrupts short circuit faults in microseconds, allowing all branches to be fed simultaneously and tripped quickly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional circuit breakers are used to interrupt short circuit faults, then the device structure is simple and reliable, but the interruption time is too long (10 ms or more) causing personal injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical circuit breaker system with a solid-state electronic switching system using power MOSFETs. This substitution eliminates the mechanical moving parts and magnetic fields that limit switching speed, enabling interruption times in the microsecond range (1-10 microseconds) compared to the 10 ms or longer of mechanical breakers. The solid-state switches are controlled by microprocessors that detect faults and trigger immediate shutdown, achieving both fast response and personal protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters of the circuit protection system by transitioning from mechanical/electromagnetic operation to solid-state electronic operation. This involves changing the switching mechanism from mechanical contacts and magnetic fields to semiconductor devices operated in the electronic domain, enabling significantly faster response times while maintaining reliability through electronic control and monitoring systems.
2Loss of time
If solid state switching devices are used to reduce interruption time, then the personal protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the solid-state circuit breaker system including fault detection, instantaneous tripping, selective coordination, and communication capabilities within a single integrated device. The microprocessor-based controller performs multiple tasks: monitoring current levels, detecting fault conditions, controlling the solid-state switches, coordinating with other breakers in the system, and providing communication interfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and justifies the increased complexity through enhanced capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces microprocessors and control electronics as intermediary elements between the power circuit and the solid-state switching devices. These intermediaries manage the complex control logic, coordinate tripping signals across multiple branches, and provide intelligence to the system. The intermediaries enable the solid-state devices to operate in a coordinated manner, reducing overall system complexity through centralized intelligence rather than requiring complex interconnections between individual switches.
3Speed
If a common instantaneous tripping unit feeds multiple branches simultaneously, then the speed of current interruption is improved, but the power distribution complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power distribution system into multiple independent branches, each with its own solid-state switching device and control logic. The common instantaneous tripping unit is segmented into multiple independent control channels that can operate autonomously. This segmentation allows each branch to be tripped independently upon fault detection, preventing cascading failures and simplifying the overall control architecture while maintaining high-speed interruption capability across all branches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary coordination and configuration of the solid-state switching system during installation and commissioning. The microprocessors are pre-programmed with coordination parameters, trip thresholds, and communication protocols. This preliminary action establishes the power distribution topology and control logic before operation, enabling the system to automatically coordinate tripping across multiple branches without requiring complex real-time decision-making during fault conditions.
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
Reduces trip time to microseconds, significantly minimizing the risk of personal injury during short circuit faults.
Implementation Method 1
The instantaneous tripping unit works on the principle of solid state switching. The instantaneous tripping unit contains power MOSFETs, whose drain and source are used for current conducting and a gate is used for switching current ON and OFF.
Data Source
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AI summary
A load center (105) comprises a common instantaneous tripping unit (107) that works on a principle of solid state switching. The load center further comprises a plurality of branches (110(1) - 110(8)) of branch circuit breakers each of which is coupled to the common instantaneous tripping unit via a corresponding high power connection (112(1-n)) and a corresponding low power connection (115(1-n)) such that the common instantaneous tripping unit feeds the plurality of branches at the same time. The common instantaneous tripping unit interrupts a short circuit fault in an interruption time which is significantly reduced thus reducing or eliminating chances for a personal injury during the short circuit fault.