Switchgear Arc Discharge via Segmented Relief Panel

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Solution Overview

Problem

In switchgear, arcs generated during short-circuit accidents often cannot be smoothly discharged due to narrow arc passages, leading to internal pressure buildup and potential structural failure, and widening these passages increases the equipment's size.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a lower partition wall with a relief panel that opens to create an arc passage, an upper partition wall with through-holes, and an arc duct system that bypasses the current transformer compartment, allowing arcs from the cable compartment to be discharged through the main busbar compartment and arc ducts, while maintaining the switchgear's size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the arc passage is widened to allow smooth arc discharge, then the arc discharge efficiency is improved, but the switchgear size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearc discharge efficiencyVSAvoidswitchgear size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The arc passage is divided into multiple segments: the first arc passage from the cable compartment to the main busbar compartment, and the second arc passage from the main busbar compartment to the arc duct. This segmentation allows the arc to be discharged through multiple pathways, improving discharge efficiency without requiring any single passage to be excessively wide, thus maintaining compact switchgear dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The main busbar compartment serves as an intermediary space that receives arcs from the cable compartment and directs them toward the arc duct. This intermediary structure facilitates smooth arc discharge by providing an additional chamber for arc progression, effectively acting as a mediator between the cable compartment and the arc duct without significantly increasing the overall switchgear volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If the arc passage is kept narrow to maintain switchgear size, then the switchgear compactness is improved, but the arc discharge efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitchgear sizeVSAvoidarc discharge efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the arc discharge path into multiple passages, the system achieves efficient arc discharge through a series of narrower passages rather than requiring a single wide passage. This allows the switchgear to maintain a compact size while ensuring effective arc discharge through the combined effect of multiple segmented pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the relief panel opens to create arc passage, then the arc discharge capability is improved, but the structural integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearc discharge capabilityVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The relief panel is designed to dynamically open during arc discharge events, transitioning from a closed state that maintains structural integrity to an open state that enables arc discharge. This dynamic behavior allows the partition wall to adapt to different operational conditions, providing both structural strength during normal operation and arc discharge capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The relief panel automatically opens in response to arc generation, allowing the system to self-regulate the arc discharge process without external intervention. The panel's automatic opening mechanism ensures that arc discharge capability is activated only when necessary, maintaining structural integrity during normal operation while providing arc discharge functionality when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 configuration ensures smooth arc discharge, reducing the risk of structural failure and maintaining the switchgear's size by dispersing arc pressure through multiple pathways, thereby enhancing safety and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a relief panel provided on the lower partition wall to open and close an opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

an arc duct communicating with the main busbar compartment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectArc discharge: Electric Arc

Data Source

PatentUS10530134B2Switchgear

Publication Date: 2020.01.07 LSIS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a switchgear. The switchgear includes a lower partition wall partitioning a cable compartment from a current transformer compartment disposed above the cable compartment and having an opening, a relief panel provided the lower partition wall to open and close opening, an upper partition wall partitioning the current transformer compartment from a main busbar compartment disposed above the current transformer compartment and having at least one through-hole, and an arc duct communicating with the main busbar compartment.