Time Fault Circuit Interrupter for Overrun Equipment Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to effectively monitor and control the power supply to equipment units, leading to prolonged operation that can cause damage or failure, such as flooding from well pumps or motor failure in air compressors.
Innovation Solution
A time fault circuit interrupter system that includes a sensor to monitor current flow, a processor to track time, and a trip mechanism to interrupt power supply when a predetermined time limit is reached, integrated with a power distributor to prevent unwanted equipment operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If equipment operates continuously without monitoring, then productivity is maintained, but damage or failure occurs due to prolonged operation
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit interrupter performs preliminary action by monitoring equipment operation time and automatically interrupting power supply before the equipment can suffer damage from prolonged operation. The system proactively tracks runtime and triggers interruption at predetermined time limits, preventing damage before it occurs rather than reacting after failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring equipment operation through sensors and processors, tracking current flow time, and using this information to automatically control power supply interruption. The feedback loop ensures the system responds to actual equipment state, maintaining productivity while preventing damage through real-time monitoring and automatic control.
2Duration of action of moving object
If power supply is continuously provided to equipment, then operational needs are met, but unwanted operation causes damage or failure
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit interrupter establishes predetermined time limits for equipment operation based on safe operating parameters. By setting these limits in advance and automatically enforcing them, the system ensures power supply duration never exceeds safe thresholds, preventing damage from prolonged operation while allowing sufficient runtime for legitimate operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service by automatically monitoring its own operation through integrated sensors and processors, tracking power supply duration, and independently controlling circuit interruption without external intervention. This autonomous operation ensures continuous protection against prolonged operation damage while maintaining equipment functionality during legitimate use.
3Device complexity
If no monitoring system is installed, then device complexity is low, but inability to control operation time leads to equipment failure
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit interrupter merges multiple functions into a single integrated device: power supply control, operation time monitoring, data processing, and automatic circuit interruption. By combining these functions in one unit rather than separate systems, the design achieves reliable equipment protection without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is designed with universality by using general-purpose components (sensors, processors, timers) that can monitor various types of equipment operation. This multi-functional approach allows the same basic system architecture to protect different equipment, reducing complexity while maintaining reliable operation control across applications.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary time fault circuit interrupter for interrupting a power supply to an equipment unit upon the occurrence of a trip condition may include a sensor configured to monitor a current flow to the equipment unit. The circuit interrupter may also include a trip mechanism configured to interrupt the current flow. The circuit interrupter may further include a processor in communication with the sensor and the trip mechanism, and the processor may be configured to cause the trip mechanism to interrupt the current flow when a current flow time has reached a predetermined time limit.