Electromagnetic Switch Diagnostics Using Actuator Electrical Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic switching apparatuses in medium voltage electrical systems face challenges in monitoring performance due to wear and operational changes, which are difficult and costly to address with traditional sensing arrangements and require significant computational resources.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic method that utilizes a control unit to monitor switching apparatuses by acquiring electrical signals, calculating diagnostic waveforms, and determining perturbation instants based on threshold comparisons, allowing for efficient anomaly detection without dedicated sensors or complex models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional sensing arrangements are used to monitor switching apparatus performance, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic actuator monitors its own operational parameters by analyzing electrical quantities (voltage, current) already present in its circuit. The control unit processes these inherent electrical signals to detect anomalies in the switching maneuver, eliminating the need for external sensors on moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit serves dual functions: it controls the electromagnetic actuator's operation and simultaneously performs diagnostic monitoring by analyzing the same electrical quantities used for control. This multi-functionality eliminates dedicated monitoring hardware.
2Measurement precision
If mathematical models are used to reconstruct travel waveforms for diagnostic purposes, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing full mathematical model reconstruction of travel waveforms, the invention applies partial action by directly analyzing electrical quantities (voltage, current) to detect anomalies. This approach provides sufficient diagnostic information without the excessive computational burden of complete waveform reconstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts diagnostic information directly from readily available electrical quantities (voltage and current measurements) rather than requiring complex mathematical model computations. This extraction approach获得 the needed diagnostic data with minimal computational resources.
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
Enables effective monitoring of switching apparatus performance with reduced complexity and cost, facilitating timely maintenance and preventing faults by identifying anomalies through simple mathematical operations.
Implementation Method 1
an actuation assembly operatively coupled to said movable contacts and including an electromagnetic actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A switching apparatus for electrical applications comprising one or more switch poles; with, for each switch pole, one or more fixed contacts and one or more movable contacts. The movable contacts are reversibly movable between an uncoupled position, at which said movable contacts are decoupled from said fixed contacts, and a coupled position, at which said movable contacts are coupled with said fixed contacts. The switching apparatus further comprises an actuation assembly operatively coupled to said movable contacts and including an electromagnetic actuator. The switching apparatus includes or is operatively coupled to a control unit for controlling the functionalities of the switching apparatus. Such a control unit is adapted to carry out a diagnostic method to monitor the operation of the switching apparatus during a switching maneuver.