Variable-Resistance Circuit Breaker for Fault Isolation and Voltage Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circuit breakers react late to high currents, leading to high energy buildup and increased costs due to the need for numerous power components to manage overvoltages and undervoltages, and they struggle to maintain stable voltage levels in connected electrical systems.
Innovation Solution
A circuit breaker unit with variable resistances and a control unit that rapidly adjusts resistance values to disconnect electrical systems in case of overvoltage, undervoltage, or overcurrent, using semiconductor components like MOSFETs and IGBTs to maintain stable voltage levels in fault-free systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If known circuit breakers are used to detect fault modes based on threshold values, then the circuit breaker can disconnect electrical systems, but the reaction is very late to high currents leading to high energy buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit breaker uses dynamically adjustable resistance values instead of fixed thresholds. The control unit continuously monitors current and voltage, adjusting the resistance in real-time to optimize the response characteristics. This allows the system to react rapidly to high currents by lowering resistance for faster detection while maintaining reliable fault detection through continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of resistance from fixed to variable. By controlling the resistance values dynamically based on operating conditions, the circuit breaker can adapt its sensitivity and response time. This parameter change enables faster reaction to high currents while maintaining accurate fault detection across different operating states.
2Reliability
If known circuit breakers disconnect electrical systems upon detecting fault modes, then safety is improved, but voltages reach critical values for connected loads in both electrical systems
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit breaker introduces variable resistances as intermediary elements between the electrical systems and the disconnection action. These resistances act as buffers that can be adjusted to limit voltage spikes and energy transfer during fault conditions. By controlling the resistance values, the system can disconnect faulty systems while preventing critical voltages from affecting connected loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit prepares the resistance values in advance to cushion against voltage spikes. Before disconnection occurs, the resistances are positioned to absorb and limit the energy transfer, preventing critical voltages from reaching connected loads. This beforehand cushioning protects the system from the harmful effects of abrupt disconnection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If known circuit breakers use suppressor diodes to limit voltage, then some voltage protection is provided, but the protection is only to a somewhat limited extent and costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The variable resistances serve multiple functions simultaneously: they limit voltage, control current, and provide protection during fault conditions. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate suppressor diodes and other protective components, reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive voltage protection across different operating conditions.
4Reliability
If high number of power components are used to overcome overvoltages and undervoltages, then protection capability is improved, but costs for circuit breaker and protective elements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By changing from fixed to variable resistance parameters, the system achieves enhanced protection capability with fewer components. The dynamic adjustment of resistance values allows a single variable resistance element to replace multiple fixed protective components, reducing costs while maintaining or improving protection against overvoltages and undervoltages.
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 solution ensures rapid disconnection and stabilization of fault-free electrical systems within predetermined voltage limits, reducing costs and enhancing fail-safety by preventing uncontrolled restarts and component damage.
Implementation Method 1
The circuit breaker includes at least one variable first resistance (R1), one variable second resistance (R2), and one variable third resistance (R3), where all three resistances are in each case connected at a common node
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a circuit breaker unit having a circuit breaker for connection of at least two electrical networks. The circuit breaker unit has a control unit for monitoring voltages of the networks and/or at least one current through the circuit breaker. In the event of one of the fault scenarios, overvoltage or undervoltage in one of the networks or overcurrent across the circuit breaker, the controller separates the two networks from one another. The circuit breaker includes at least one controllable first resistor, a controllable second resistor, and a controllable third resistor. The control unit is configured, in the event of a fault scenario in one of the networks, to adjust the values of the resistors so that the networks are separated from one another and so that the voltage in the fault-free network remains within predefined limits.