Dual-Moving Vacuum Interrupter for Ultrafast Contact Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional circuit breakers face challenges in achieving fast and efficient contact separation due to the mass of moving parts, which requires higher energy to operate effectively, especially in high voltage systems.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an ultrafast actuator system with a Thomson coil or piezo-electric actuator that simultaneously moves contacts in opposite directions within a vacuum interrupter, utilizing repulsion plates and spring assemblies to achieve rapid contact separation, thereby reducing the contact gap distance and enabling quick interruption of current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional Thomson coil actuators are used to separate contacts, then current interruption can be achieved, but the separation speed is limited by the mass of moving parts requiring higher energy input
Solution Approach 1:
The single moving contact system is segmented into two separate movable electrodes (first and second movable electrodes) that move independently in opposite directions. This segmentation allows each electrode to travel a shorter distance with less mass, thereby increasing separation speed while reducing the energy required for actuation compared to moving a single heavy contact assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from unidirectional contact separation (one contact moving away from another) to bidirectional separation (both contacts moving away from the central electrode in opposite directions). This dimensional change in the separation mechanism effectively doubles the separation rate for the same energy input, as both contacts contribute to increasing the contact gap simultaneously
2Length of moving object
If the mass of moving parts is increased to achieve greater travel distance, then more energy is needed from the energy source, but this increases the complexity and energy requirements of the system
Solution Approach 1:
The total travel distance requirement is segmented between two movable electrodes instead of one. Each electrode needs to travel only half the distance that a single contact would need to travel to achieve the same separation effect, thereby reducing the mass and energy requirements while still achieving the necessary contact gap for current interruption
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a fixed central electrode as a counterpoint between which the two movable electrodes move in opposite directions. This central electrode acts as a reference point that allows both movable electrodes to achieve their travel distances independently without requiring one to overcome the full mass and inertia of the other contact assembly
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
This solution allows for extremely fast current interruption, potentially doubling the separation rate compared to traditional vacuum interrupters while maintaining control over the moving mass, effectively protecting electrical systems from fault conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The ultrafast actuator may include a Thomson coil or a piezo-electric actuator
Implementation Method 2
a plate will be connected to the breaker's moving component and the Thomson coil will be placed adjacent to the plate. The nature of the force produced by a Thomson coil is a sudden impulse acting on the plate
Implementation Method 3
The ultrafast actuator may include a Thomson coil or a piezo-electric actuator
Implementation Method 4
a first spring assembly including a first compression spring that is configured to generate a first compression force that will force the first electrode and the first contact toward the second contact, and a second spring assembly including a second compression spring that is configured to generate a second compression force that will force the second electrode and the second contact toward the first contact
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit breaker includes a vacuum interrupter. The interrupter includes a first movable electrode to which a first contact is connected and a second movable electrode to which a second contact is connected. The interrupter is operable between an open state and a closed state. In the open state, the first contact and the second contact are separated by a contact gap distance. In the closed state, the first contact and the second contact touch each other. The circuit breaker includes an ultrafast actuator operatively connected to each of the first and second movable electrodes. The ultrafast actuator is configured to change the vacuum interrupter from the closed state to the open state by simultaneously moving the first contact in a first direction along a first distance portion of the contact gap, and the second contact in a second direction along a second distance portion of the contact gap.