1. |
- Bissal, A., et al.
(author)
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Hybrid multi-physics modeling of an ultra-fast electro-mechanical actuator
- 2015
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In: Actuators. - : MDPI AG. - 2076-0825. ; 4:4, s. 314-335
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The challenges of an HVDC breaker are to generate impulsive forces in the order of hundreds of kilonewtons within fractions of a millisecond, to withstand the arising internal mechanical stresses and to transmit these forces via an electrically-insulating device to the contact system with minimum time delay. In this work, several models were developed with different levels of complexity, computation time and accuracy. Experiments were done with two mushroom-shaped armatures to validate the developed simulation models. It was concluded that although the electromagnetic force generation mechanism is highly sensitive to the mechanical response of the system, the developed first order hybrid model is able to predict the performance of the breaker with good accuracy.
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2. |
- Corea-Araujo, Javier A., et al.
(author)
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Optimum design of hybrid HVDC circuit breakers using a parallel genetic algorithm and a MATLAB-EMTP environment
- 2017
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In: IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution. - : INST ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY-IET. - 1751-8687 .- 1751-8695. ; 11:12, s. 2974-2982
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The optimum design of power system components is becoming a relevant topic in power system studies. Genetic algorithms (GAs) are considered as a proper approach for optimisation problems in which non-linear elements are involved. Several trends are presently leading GAs to a new level; for instance, its combination with parallel computing can facilitate the solution of problems where individual evaluations of the fitness function require an important computational effort. This study presents a procedure based on a MATLAB-EMTP application and the usage of a multicore environment for the optimum selection of hybrid high-voltage DC (HVDC) circuit breaker parameters; the goal is to obtain a transient response of the hybrid design with voltages, currents and fault clearance times within specified limits.
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3. |
- Magnusson, Jesper, 1984-
(author)
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On the design of hybrid DC-breakers consisting of a mechanical switch and semiconductor devices
- 2015
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Licentiate thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The interest of using direct current in networks for both transmission and distribution of power is increasing due to the higher efficiency compared to the alternating current used today. As no natural zero crossings exist in direct current, the interruption of fault currents becomes a challenge. Several circuit breaker topologies have been proposed to fulfill the requirements for DC grids. One such topology is the hybrid DC-breaker consisting of three parallel branches: a mechanical switch, a semiconductor branch, and a metal oxide varistor.The current interruption in the hybrid DC-breaker is made in three steps. A mechanical switch carries the nominal current with low losses during normal operation. When the breaker is tripped to interrupt the current, the mechanical switch is opened and commutates the current into the semiconductor branch. This branch will then conduct the current as the mechanical switch regains its voltage withstand. The semiconductors turn off and force the current into the varistor branch where the magnetic energy is absorbed and the current is forced to zero.This thesis is based on simulations and experiments to obtain design rules for such a DC-breaker. It has been shown that several aspects needs to be considered. Simulations are performed with several different models to obtain the requirements of each of the components in the DC-breaker.First of all, the choice of the semiconductor is important. There are a number of components available in the market, but typically they are optimized for fast switching applications like inverters rather than circuit breaker applications that only requires one single switching. Due to the high current and voltage ratings and the easy control, the IGBT seems to be the best choice among the commercially available components.Simulations on the mechanical switch show that there is an optimal combination of opening time and arc voltage of the to obtain a successful commutation into the semiconductor branch. The actuator is a key component since a relatively low increase in performance of the actuator drive circuit, significantly decreases the requirement of the other components in the DC-breaker.A significant part of the work has been put on the voltage transient during the turn-off of the semiconductor. As the current is forced into the varistor branch, the stray inductance in that loop will result in an over-voltage due to the high current derivative. A new type of snubber has been investigated using another varistor mounted close to the semiconductor. It has been shown that the function of the varistor snubber can be divided into two regions depending on the ratio between the snubber and the main varistor. If the ratio is high enough, the energy absorbed in the snubber varistor is only a few percent of the total energy.
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4. |
- Magnusson, Jesper, 1984-
(author)
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Studies on Current Commutation in Hybrid DC-breakers
- 2017
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Compared to conventional AC-circuit breakers, a DC-breaker has to act fast and force the current down to zero. Many different DC-breaker topologies are available, and this thesis is focused on the hybrid DC-breaker comprising a mechanical switch and high power semiconductors.The main part of this thesis is focused on the current commutations in the hybrid DC-breaker. The two current commutations: from the mechanical switch to the semiconductor branch, and from the semiconductor to the metal oxide varistor, have completely different characteristics. When the mechanical switch opens, the metallic contacts separate and an electric arc is formed. As the voltage across the arc is higher than the voltage across the semiconductors, the current is pushed over to the semiconductor branch. The undesired stray inductance in the loop limits the current derivative and slows down the commutation. As the contacts keep separating, the arc voltage increases and eventually all current is conducted by the semiconductor and the arc ceases.For a hybrid DC-breaker, the worst case is a solid ground fault, as the fast rising current results in high current levels and makes the commutation from the mechanical switch to the semiconductor both difficult and slow. However, the fast rise of the current can be used to enhance the commutation by using coupled inductors in the two parallel branches. When the fault current rises in the semiconductor branch, the mutual coupling of the inductors causes the current in the mechanical switch to decrease and helps the commutation. The result is that the commutation time decreases with decreasing fault impedance, and makes the solid ground fault easier to handle.The commutation from the semiconductor to the metal oxide varistor is controlled by the turn-off of the semiconductor. When the semiconductor is turned off, it pulls the current down to zero with a rather constant current derivative regardless of the surrounding circuit and the system current is taken over by the metal oxide varistor. Hence, any inductance in the commutation loop will result in an over-voltage proportional to this inductance on top of the varistor voltage. By connecting a smaller metal oxide varistor, as a snubber, close to the semiconductor, the over-voltage can be controlled and the commutation from the snubber to the metal oxide varistor will be driven by the voltage difference between the two varistors.It is shown that for a 12 kV DC-system, a possible design of the mechanical switch in the hybrid DC-breaker comprises two contact gaps in series and opens with a velocity of 11 m/s. It has been experimentally verified that when starting the commutation at 4 kA, the commutation takes less than 700 us and is over before the switch has opened 1 mm.The thesis also contains proposed designs for an 80 kV DC-breaker that can be used as a modular solution for higher system voltages. For this higher voltage, the design will be a choice of the combination between the number of contact gaps in series and the opening velocity of the mechanical switch.
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5. |
- Parekh, Mrunal, 1987-, et al.
(author)
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Design of a linear Halbach magnetic damper
- 2018
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In: International journal of applied electromagnetics and mechanics. - : IOS Press. - 1383-5416 .- 1875-8800. ; 59:2, s. 1-9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ultra-fast circuit breakers are operated with fast electromagnetic actuators. They can generate a sufficient impulse force to swiftly open electrical contacts in a couple of milliseconds. Opening of the contacts with high velocities implies a need for a timely and controllable damping. An efficient damping mechanism then is crucial to attain an appropriate actuation performance and secure a long lifetime. In this paper a finite element model of a Halbach magnet array based magnetic damper and a corresponding experimental prototype is described. A parametric study is performed to understand the effect of load mass and incoming velocities. It was found that the magnetic field modulation plays an important role on the damping performance. A uniform and high radial component of the magnetic flux density is necessary in order to achieve high damping force. The radial magnetic field can be controlled via thickness and magnetization direction of the ring magnets that are used to create the Halbach magnet array.
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6. |
- Parekh, Mrunal, 1987-, et al.
(author)
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Study of an Electromagnetic Damping Actuator
- 2018
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In: VDE Conference Proceedings on Actuator 18. - 9783800746750 ; , s. 475-478
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Current commutation switches for HVDC devices are operated with Ultra-fast electromagnetic actuators. They can generate hundreds of kilo-newton force and swiftly open electrical contacts in a couple of milliseconds. An efficient damping mechanism then is crucial to attain an appropriate actuation performance and secure a long lifetime. In this article an electromagnetic Halbach damping actuator was studied. A numerical model based on FEA is used to calculate its damping constant and retardation time down to stand still velocity.
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