TVS Junction Temperature Prediction in Solid-State Circuit Breakers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing current levels and line inductance in solid-state circuit breakers pose challenges to the life and stability of transient voltage suppressors due to induced voltages and overcurrent phenomena, such as lightning strikes, which can lead to potential safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A protection apparatus for solid-state circuit breakers that includes a temperature detection unit and a control unit to predict junction temperatures of transient voltage suppressors, generating alarms when thresholds are exceeded, ensuring safe operation by anticipating potential safety hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the current level and line inductance are increased to meet practical application requirements, then the power transmission capability is improved, but the induced voltage increases which reduces the life and stability of transient voltage suppressors
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit predicts the junction temperature of transient voltage suppressors before switching off the solid-state switching devices. By performing this temperature prediction in advance, the system can identify potential overheating risks before they materialize, allowing for preventive measures to be taken and avoiding sudden failures of the transient voltage suppressors during high-power operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the case temperature of transient voltage suppressors and uses this feedback to predict junction temperature. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to actual thermal conditions and adjust operations to prevent exceedance of maximum junction temperature ratings, thereby maintaining suppressor reliability under varying power loads.
2Reliability
If transient voltage suppressors are used to protect solid-state switching devices from induced voltage, then the protection effectiveness is improved, but the junction temperature of suppressors increases which may cause safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs junction temperature prediction before switching off the solid-state switching devices. This preliminary temperature assessment allows the system to identify potential thermal hazards in advance, enabling preventive actions such as adjusting switching timing or adding cooling measures before the junction temperature exceeds safe limits, thus maintaining protection effectiveness while preventing thermal damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses real-time case temperature monitoring as feedback to predict junction temperature and assess thermal safety. This feedback loop enables continuous thermal management, allowing the system to maintain optimal operating conditions for transient voltage suppressors while they provide protection against induced voltages.
3Reliability
If real-time monitoring of transient voltage suppressors is implemented to ensure safety, then the operational safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs self-assessment by predicting the junction temperature of transient voltage suppressors using data from existing temperature sensors. Instead of requiring separate monitoring devices for junction temperature, the control unit leverages available case temperature data and its own processing capabilities to conduct thermal safety assessments, thereby improving operational safety without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it controls the solid-state switching devices, monitors case temperature, predicts junction temperature, and assesses thermal safety. By making the control unit multi-functional, the system avoids adding separate dedicated monitoring hardware, thus improving operational safety while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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
The apparatus allows for timely detection and prevention of safety hazards by predicting junction temperatures and issuing alarms, thereby ensuring the safe and reliable operation of the solid-state circuit breaker.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature detection unit configured to detect a case temperature of each of the one or more transient voltage suppressors
Implementation Method 2
for each of the one or more transient voltage suppressors, predict a junction temperature of each of the one or more transient voltage suppressors after the first switching device and the second switching device are switched from an on state to an off state, based on the case temperature before the first switching device and the second switching device are switched from the on state to the off state
Data Source
AI summary
According to embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus and method for protecting a solid-state circuit breaker. The apparatus comprises: a temperature detection unit configured to detect a case temperature of each transient voltage suppressor in one or more transient voltage suppressors; and a control unit configured to: receive the case temperature of one or more transient voltage suppressors from the temperature detection unit; for each of the one or more transient voltage suppressors, predict a junction temperature of each of the one or more transient voltage suppressors after the first switching device and the second switching device are switched from an on state to an off state, based on the case temperature before the first switching device and the second switching device are switched from the on state to the off state; and in response to the junction temperature of at least one transient voltage suppressor of the one or more transient voltage suppressors exceeding a predetermined temperature threshold, generate a first alarm signal.