Switching Device Series Circuit Voltage Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
High and extra-high voltage switching devices require cost-intensive components like thyristors and IGBTs for non-conventional switching points, leading to high costs due to the need for these components to handle both voltage and current, especially when interrupting direct currents.
Innovation Solution
A series circuit configuration of conventional and non-conventional switching points, where the non-conventional switching point is placed between two conventional switching points, allowing for voltage distribution across multiple points, reducing the load on the non-conventional switching point and enabling the use of less expensive power semiconductors by utilizing conventional switching points to manage voltage and current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If cost-intensive components like thyristors and IGBTs are used for non-conventional switching points to handle high voltage and current, then the switching device can operate in high and extra-high voltage range, but the cost of the switching device increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the voltage handling task into multiple segments by introducing a series circuit with multiple conventional switching points (vacuum circuit breakers) that share the voltage burden. The non-conventional switching point only needs to handle a fraction of the total voltage, allowing the use of less expensive power semiconductors while maintaining the ability to operate in high voltage ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
Conventional switching points are introduced as intermediary elements in series with the non-conventional switching point. These intermediaries (vacuum circuit breakers) bear part of the voltage stress, thereby protecting the expensive non-conventional switching point from full voltage exposure and enabling the use of more cost-effective semiconductor components.
2Reliability
If the non-conventional switching point is designed for full voltage and current capacity to ensure operational reliability, then the switching device can reliably interrupt direct currents, but the cost increases due to expensive power semiconductors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the functional responsibilities between conventional and non-conventional switching points. Conventional switching points handle the high voltage and current interruption reliably through arc extinction in vacuum, while the non-conventional switching point handles only the commutation function with reduced voltage stress, maintaining overall system reliability while reducing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-conventional switching point is designed to perform only the partial function of commutation and voltage blocking during specific phases of the switching cycle, rather than handling the full continuous voltage and current. This partial action approach allows the use of less expensive semiconductors while maintaining reliability through coordinated operation with conventional switching points.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a switching device (1, 1a) comprising a first conventional switching point (2, 2a) and a second conventional switching point (3, 3a) which are electrically connected in series via a non-conventional switching point (4, 4a).