Abstract
This paper uses FEA simulations to investigate the behaviour of a high-speed, high-power Thomson coil (TC) actuator suitable for HVDC protection applications, when excited by a double discharge. The influence of the resulting pulse train on the amplitude of observed armature vibration is investigated. The significance of the pulse train on the device electrical to mechanical energy conversion efficiency is assessed and compared with the efficiency obtained using the conventional single discharge approach.
Highlights
Thomson Coil (TC) based actuators are commonly used in applications such as arc eliminators [1], high speed mechanical switches [2] and hybrid DC breakers [3], where very fast operation times are required
For TC operation, the actuator spiral coil is excited by a time varying current, producing a time varying magnetic field
In this paper the use of a two stage discharge setup to improve the performance of a high speed, high power TC actuator was investigated by using FE simulations
Summary
Thomson Coil (TC) based actuators are commonly used in applications such as arc eliminators [1], high speed mechanical switches [2] and hybrid DC breakers [3], where very fast operation times are required. An alternative technique proposed to improve actuator performance relies on exciting the coil using a train of current pulses [7] In such a case additional armature bending may occur, incurring larger losses, reducing actuator efficiency and risking the physical integrity of the armature This approach may produce unwanted effects that need to be investigated. Mechanical effects in the armature are considered and energy conversion efficiency quantified, and the performance compared with that achievable using a finely tuned TC excited by a single current pulse.
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