Vacuum Circuit Interrupter Actuation with Active Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fast opening speeds in vacuum circuit interrupters lead to contact wear, bouncing, and vibration due to high velocity, which compromises current interruption performance and durability, as existing dampers like springs deteriorate with repeated use.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum circuit interrupter system with a non-conductive rod connected to a moveable contact, featuring an actuator with Thomson coils and a solenoid-based damper that provides active damping forces to control the movement of the contacts, reducing wear and vibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If fast opening speeds are used in vacuum circuit interrupters, then current interruption capability is improved, but contact wear and bouncing increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent interruption capabilityVSAvoidcontact durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a damping mechanism that actively counteracts contact bounce before it can cause damage. The damper is positioned to engage with the movable contact during its travel, providing cushioning force in advance to prevent harmful impacts and bouncing at the end of travel, thereby protecting contacts from wear while maintaining fast opening speeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional passive mechanical damping elements (springs, rubber) with an active damping system that uses electromagnetic or electrostatic forces. This substitution allows for controlled damping forces that can be adjusted during operation, providing reliable contact protection without the durability limitations of repeated mechanical compression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If traditional dampers like springs are used, then contact bounce is reduced, but durability deteriorates with repeated compression

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact bounceVSAvoiddamper durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical damping elements (springs, rubber) with an active damping system that uses electromagnetic or electrostatic forces. This substitution allows for controlled damping forces that can be adjusted during operation, providing reliable contact protection without the durability limitations of repeated mechanical compression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state or properties of the damping mechanism by using fields (electromagnetic or electrostatic) instead of mechanical materials. The damping force can be dynamically adjusted by changing electrical parameters such as voltage or current, allowing optimization of damping performance without material degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If contacts slam against parts at high velocity, then fast opening speed is achieved, but vibration and wear increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening speedVSAvoidvibration

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The active damping system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor contact position and velocity, adjusting damping forces in real-time to counteract vibrations and bouncing. This feedback control allows the system to maintain fast opening speeds while actively suppressing harmful vibrations throughout the contact travel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 system achieves precise control over contact movement, reduces bouncing, and enhances the durability and performance of current interruption by providing consistent damping forces, leading to improved operational stability and extended system life.

Implementation Method 1

An actuator may include a Thomson coil that is wound around the non-conductive rod, an armature that is connected to the non-conductive rod, and a driver that is configured to energize the Thomson coil so that when the Thomson coil is energized the armature will be repelled from the Thomson coil and move the non-conductive rod in the second direction and open the vacuum circuit interrupter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic repulsion: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

The damper includes a solenoid and a plunger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Solenoid

Implementation Method 3

The plunger may include a permanent magnet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS10580599B1Vacuum circuit interrupter with actuation having active damping

Publication Date: 2020.03.03 EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LTD

AI summary

A circuit interrupter system includes a vacuum circuit interrupter having a vacuum chamber that contains a fixed contact and a moveable contact. A non-conductive rod extends from the moveable contact. One or more Thomson coils are wound around the rod, and one or more armatures are connected to the rod. When a driver energizes one of the Thomson coils, a corresponding armature will be repelled from that Thomson coil and move the rod to open or close the contacts of the vacuum circuit interrupter. The system also may include a damper that provides an active damping force rod when the rod is moved to open and/or close the vacuum circuit interrupter.