Superconducting DC Circuit Breaker Arc Quenching
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Solution Overview
Problem
DC circuit breakers face challenges in arc quenching due to the absence of a zero point, leading to prolonged arc quenching times and high-temperature heat generation, which can result in fires and electrode damage, and they lack inrush current protection, necessitating an efficient method to suppress DC arcs.
Innovation Solution
A superconducting arcing induction type DC circuit breaker that employs a superconducting fault current limiter to limit fault currents within a half period and uses an induction needle to induce arcs, which are then quenched by an induction ring connected to a ground line, preventing fault current accidents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional DC circuit breaker is used, then DC power distribution can be implemented, but arc quenching time is prolonged and high-temperature heat is generated causing fires and electrode damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an induction needle as an intermediary element that actively induces and guides the arc to a predetermined path. The induction needle creates a magnetic field that forces the arc to follow a specific trajectory toward the induction ring, rather than allowing random arc propagation. This mediator element accelerates the arc quenching process by providing a controlled path for arc extinction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the circuit breaker by introducing a superconducting fault current limiter that operates at extremely low temperatures. This parameter change (temperature) fundamentally alters the electrical properties of the system, enabling rapid current limitation and arc quenching. The superconducting material transitions from normal conducting state to superconducting state based on temperature, achieving rapid fault current limitation within half a period.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical contacts are used for DC circuit breaker, then current interruption is possible, but mechanical contact damage occurs due to high-temperature arc
Solution Approach 1:
The induction ring acts as an intermediary that receives and extinguishes the arc away from the mechanical contacts. By inducing the arc to travel along a magnetic field path created by the induction needle, the arc is directed to the induction ring rather than remaining at the contact point. This mediator structure protects the mechanical contacts from direct arc exposure and thermal damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the arc extinction function from the mechanical contact itself and relocates it to a separate induction ring structure. The mechanical contact's role is reduced to simply opening the circuit, while the arc quenching function is performed by the induction needle and ring system. This separation protects the mechanical contact from the harmful effects of the arc.
3Loss of energy
If DC distribution system is implemented, then power loss reduction is achieved, but inrush current protection is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The superconducting fault current limiter performs preliminary action by limiting fault and inrush currents before they can cause damage to the system. The limiter is pre-positioned in the circuit and automatically activates when excessive current is detected, preventing inrush current from reaching harmful levels before equipment is energized or during fault conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The superconducting fault current limiter changes the electrical resistance parameter of the circuit dynamically. Under normal conditions, the superconducting material has zero resistance, allowing efficient power transmission. When inrush current or fault current occurs, the material transitions to a high-resistance state, automatically limiting the current without requiring external control or additional protection devices.
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 solution effectively reduces arc quenching time, minimizes mechanical contact damage, and enhances the reliability of DC circuit breakers by quickly diverting and quenching fault currents, ensuring stable operation and expanded DC system power supply.
Implementation Method 1
the induction needle induces arc generated upon contact opening when the anode and the cathode are separated from each other
Implementation Method 2
the induction member quenches the induced arc by the flow of the induced arc to ground through a ground line
Implementation Method 3
a superconducting fault current limiter configured to perform a quenching operation at a speed of a half period or less
Data Source
AI summary
A superconducting arcing induction type DC circuit breaker includes a superconducting fault current limiter and an arcing induction type DC circuit breaker connected in series to each other. The arcing induction type DC circuit breaker includes an induction member that has a through-hole, is continuously formed in a 360-degree direction, and has a certain shape and thickness, and an induction needle that protrudes from an inner surface of the induction member toward a center of the induction member. A contact point where an anode and a cathode, which are mechanical contacts, approach from opposite directions and come into contact with each other is formed in the through-hole of the induction member, and the anode and the cathode are separated in a direction far away from each other. The induction needle induces arc generated upon contact opening when the anode and the cathode are separated from each other in the event of system accident of DC power or AC power, and the induction member quenches the induced arc by the flow of the induced arc to ground through a ground line.