Variable Resistor Parallel to Anti-Pumping Relay for Circuit Breaker Malfunction Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercialized circuit breakers used in nuclear power plants and general industries experience malfunctions due to high resistance in anti-pumping auxiliary relays, leading to operational issues when the circuit breaker is secondarily closed, and replacing these relays is costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A variable resistor is connected in parallel to the anti-pumping auxiliary relay on a distributing board to lower the total resistance, allowing the circuit breaker to operate correctly without replacing the relay, and this setup can be adjusted to match different circuit breaker characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the resistance of anti-pumping auxiliary relay is reduced to prevent malfunction, then the reliability of circuit breaker operation is improved, but the size of the relay increases making it difficult to install
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the resistance reduction function into two separate components: the original anti-pumping auxiliary relay and an additional parallel resistor. This segmentation allows the relay to maintain its original small size while the separate resistor component provides the necessary resistance reduction, resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and size constraint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a parallel resistor as an intermediary element between the power source and the anti-pumping auxiliary relay. This intermediary component modifies the electrical characteristics (reduces total resistance) without requiring modification to the relay itself, thus improving reliability while maintaining the relay's original compact dimensions for easy installation.
2Reliability
If the anti-pumping auxiliary relay is replaced to fix the malfunction, then the circuit breaker operation is restored, but high cost and effort are required for replacement and re-testing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a preliminary solution by adding a parallel resistor to adjust the resistance before any replacement or re-testing is needed. This preliminary resistance adjustment prevents the malfunction from occurring in the first place, eliminating the need for costly relay replacement and extensive re-testing procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of replacing the expensive anti-pumping auxiliary relay, the patent uses a cheap parallel resistor as a disposable or adjustable component. This low-cost component achieves the same functional goal (resistance reduction) without requiring the high investment in relay replacement and associated re-testing efforts.
3Ease of operation
If a commercialized circuit breaker is applied with standard anti-pumping auxiliary relay, then the initial installation is simple, but malfunction occurs after first closing and opening operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic element (parallel resistor) that can be adjusted or modified after initial installation. This allows the system to adapt to changing operational conditions that cause malfunction after the first closing and opening, maintaining both initial installation simplicity and subsequent operation reliability through flexible resistance adjustment.
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 prevents malfunctions by reducing the total resistance of the anti-pumping auxiliary relay, enabling the circuit breaker to function properly without the need for replacement, and allows for efficient installation and testing, maintaining operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a variable resistor connected in parallel to the anti-pumping auxiliary relay RW in the circuit breaker... configured to lower total resistance produced as resistance of the variable resistor connected in parallel to the anti-pumping auxiliary relay RW
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus of preventing a malfunction of a circuit breaker may include a circuit breaker and a variable resistor installed on a distributing board, the variable resistor being disposed outside the circuit breaker separately from the circuit breaker, wherein the variable resistor is connected in parallel to an anti-pumping auxiliary relay RW, and total resistance of the anti-pumping auxiliary relay RW and the variable resistor connected in parallel to each other is less than resistance of the anti-pumping auxiliary relay RW.