Switch Panel Thermal Monitoring via Precomputed Transfer Functions

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for operating electrical switchgear fail to account for dynamic thermal behavior in real-time, leading to potential damage due to the time-consuming calculations required for accurate monitoring and influence of switch panels.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines a transfer function based on a simulation model of the switch panel's thermal behavior, allowing for real-time execution and anticipatory monitoring, enabling timely influence on operating variables to prevent damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a dynamic simulation model is used to monitor the thermal behavior of the switch panel, then the monitoring accuracy and ability to account for dynamic thermal behavior is improved, but the calculation time increases significantly making real-time monitoring impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal behavior monitoring accuracyVSAvoidcalculation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-calculates and stores transfer functions during an offline phase based on the dynamic simulation model. These pre-computed transfer functions are then used during real-time operation to instantly determine future thermal states without performing complex simulations, thus achieving both high accuracy and real-time performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces transfer functions as an intermediary between the complex dynamic simulation model and real-time monitoring requirements. The transfer functions act as a simplified mathematical representation that captures the essential thermal behavior while enabling fast computation during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If real-time monitoring of thermal behavior is implemented, then damage prevention capability is improved, but the computational complexity and time requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage prevention capabilityVSAvoidcomputational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs comprehensive thermal analysis and generates transfer functions in advance during an offline phase. This preliminary action ensures that all necessary thermal behavior data is pre-processed, allowing simple and fast calculations during real-time operation to determine future thermal states and prevent damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the complex dynamic simulation model with a simplified mathematical approach using transfer functions during real-time operation. This substitution maintains the ability to accurately predict thermal behavior while dramatically reducing computational complexity and enabling real-time execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2617111B1Method for operating a switch panel of electrical switchgear

Publication Date: 2019.10.16 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC SACHSENWERK

Figure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a switch panel (10) of electrical switchgear. The switch panel (10) has a plurality of electric components, in particular power circuit breakers, disconnector/grounding switches or the like. Sensors are provided for measuring currents, voltages, temperatures, time periods or the like. A simulation model of the thermal behavior of the switch panel (10) is determined (21). Depending on the simulation model, a transfer function is determined (23) which relates at least two operating variables of the switch panel (10) to one another.