Medium Voltage Switching Apparatus Control Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medium voltage switching apparatuses are inefficient when required to perform both load management and protection functionalities, leading to high industrial and installation costs due to the need for separate devices designed for specific functions.
Innovation Solution
A medium voltage switching apparatus with multiple electric poles, actuating means, and a control unit that can switch between different control routines for load management and protection functionalities based on input signals, utilizing servomotors and intelligent electronic devices to manage the operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a switching apparatus is designed for load management functionalities, then it can break currents with synchronized phase angles, but it offers poor performances under short-circuit conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The switching apparatus is designed to perform both load management and protection functionalities through a single device. The control unit can execute different control routines: a first routine for load management with synchronized phase angles and a second routine for protection with optimized breaking characteristics, making the apparatus universal and adaptable to multiple operational requirements
2Reliability
If separate switching apparatuses are provided for load management and protection functionalities, then each device performs its specific function well, but industrial and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both load management and protection functionalities into a single switching apparatus. The device integrates multiple control routines within one control unit, merging the functions that previously required separate devices, thereby reducing system complexity and the number of components while maintaining specialized performance for each function type
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate switching apparatuses are provided for different functionalities, then specific functions are optimized, but the number of devices and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The switching apparatus is designed as a universal device capable of performing both load management and protection functionalities. The control unit stores and executes different control routines depending on the operational requirement, allowing the single apparatus to adapt to various functions without requiring multiple specialized devices, thus simplifying system layout while maintaining functional versatility
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 flexible operation to perform both load management and protection functionalities effectively, reducing the need for multiple devices and lowering costs while maintaining high reliability and simplicity in system layout.
Implementation Method 1
said actuating means comprise at least a servomotor
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a medium voltage switching apparatus. The medium voltage switching apparatus comprises: - one or more electric poles, each electrically coupleable with a corresponding electric line; - for each electric pole, a fixed contact and a movable contact, said movable contact being reversibly movable between a decoupled position from said fixed contact and a coupled position with said fixed contact, said movable contact moving from said decoupled position to said coupled position during an closing manoeuvre of the switching apparatus and moving from said coupled position to said decoupled position during an opening manoeuvre of the switching apparatus; - actuating means adapted to actuate the movable contacts of said one or more electric poles. The switching apparatus is operatively coupled with or comprises a control unit to control said actuating means. Said control unit comprises a plurality of input arrangements, at which said control unit can receive input signals provided by one or more devices operatively coupled with or included in said control unit. Said control unit is adapted to carry out a plurality of selectable control routines to control said actuating means during a manoeuvre of said switching apparatus. Said control unit is adapted to select and carry out a selectable control routine in response to receiving an input signal at an input arrangement corresponding to said selectable routine.