Post-Arc Characteristics of Intermediate Frequency Vacuum Arc Based on Visual Tracking Technology
Jiang Yuan1,2, Ma Suliang3, Wu Yutian1, He Anjingsheng1, Li Qing1, Wu Jianwen4, Xia Shangwen4
1. Key Laboratory of Knowledge Automation for Industrial Processes of Ministry of Education School of Automation and Electrical Engineering University of Science and Technology Beijing Beijing 100083 China; 2. Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics University of Liverpool Liverpool L69 3GJ U.K. 3. School of Electrical and Control Engineering North China University of Technology Beijing 100144 China; 4. School of Automation Science and Electrical Engineering Beihang University Beijing 100191 China
Abstract:Applying the vacuum switch in the more-electric aircraft intermediate frequency (IF 360~800 Hz) power system is a new application field, which can solve the difficulties caused by the increase of current frequency and the limited breaking ability of electrical appliances. The anode activity of the vacuum arc determines the post-arc state and interruption ability of the vacuum switchgear, especially at high current, and the anode can actively emit metal vapor, plasma and metal droplets. Because of the special environment of the vacuum chamber, it is difficult to directly measure the physical quantity of the post-arc state, such as arc pressure, by using the sensor, so non-contact measurement means is generally adopted. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the post-arc characteristics of intermediate frequency vacuum arcs, the visual tracking techniques such as object detection and Intersection over Union Tracker were utilized to analyze arc images in this paper. The splatter trajectories of post-arc metal droplets were reconstructed in three dimensions. Based on the reconstruction, the spatial pressure gradient inside the arc was determined. Firstly, an intermediate frequency vacuum arc experimental system was established, along with a dual high-speed camera stereoscopic arc imaging system. Secondly, the experimental results of the intermediate frequency vacuum arc were analyzed, revealing post-arc voltage oscillations and metal droplet ejection phenomena during interruption failure. Thirdly, utilizing visual tracking techniques such as Canny edge detection, connected component analysis, and IoU, along with the mapping relationship from arc plane to three-dimensional space, a method for analyzing the pressure gradient of the post-arc vacuum arc was developed. The detection and tracking performance of arc images were evaluated using metrics such as precision, recall, MOTA, and MOTP, achieving values of 91.69%, 84.28%, 87.19%, and 82.63%, respectively, indicating excellent visual tracking results. Finally, using the aforementioned theories and methods, a comprehensive analysis of the post-arc characteristics of the intermediate frequency vacuum arc was conducted. The following conclusions can be drawn from the analysis: (1) According to experimental results, when post-arc breakdown occurs after the intermediate-frequency current crosses zero, the arc voltage exhibits high-frequency oscillations with a frequency of approximately 50 kHz. The voltage stabilizes within about 2 ms. During the post-arc period, dual-view arc images reveal substantial outward ejection of metal droplets. (2) By employing visual tracking algorithms and spatial mapping relations, the three-dimensional ejection process of metal droplets during the post-arc breakdown can be reconstructed. The acceleration in all three directions reaches the order of 105 m/s2, with ejection velocities on the order of 10 m/s. The pressure gradient within the arc chamber can reach 1.2 MPa/mm, and the time scale for droplets to travel from the contact edge to the inner wall of the arc chamber is milliseconds. (3) The vapor density of Cu on the surface of the metal droplets is 2.2×1019 m-3. Throughout the ejection process of milliseconds scale, the metal droplets continuously evaporate, reducing the Cu mass fraction on the droplet surface from 65% to 10%. A significant amount of Cu vapor enters the arc chamber through diffusion and convection, weakening the dielectric recovery strength post-arc. During this period, post-arc breakdown and high-frequency voltage oscillations occur.
[1] 张卓然, 许彦武, 姚一鸣, 等. 多电飞机电力系统及其关键技术[J]. 南京航空航天大学学报, 2022, 54(5): 969-984. Zhang Zhuoran, Xu Yanwu, Yao Yiming, et al.Electric power system and key technologies of more electric aircraft[J]. Journal of Nanjing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics, 2022, 54(5): 969-984. [2] Jiang Yuan, Li Qing.Vacuum Circuit Breaker for Aviation Variable Frequency Power System: Theory and Application of Arc in Electrical Appliances[M]. Singapore: Springer, 2021. [3] 佟子昂, 武建文, 高辉, 等. 中频下正弦曲面触头真空电弧特性研究[J]. 中国电机工程学报, 2019, 39(21): 6460-6471. Tong Ziang, Wu Jianwen, Gao Hui, et al.Study on the characteristics of vacuum arc in sinusoidal curved contacts at intermediate frequency[J]. Proceedings of the CSEE, 2019, 39(21): 6460-6471. [4] 蒋原, 武建文, 李擎, 等. 平板触头小开距中频真空电弧特性研究[J]. 中国电机工程学报, 2023, 43(16): 6517-6525. Jiang Yuan, Wu Jianwen, Li Qing, et al.Characteristics of intermediate frequency vacuum arc in butt contact with short gap[J]. Proceedings of the CSEE, 2023, 43(16): 6517-6525. [5] 张在秦, 刘志远, 王闯, 等. 大电流真空电弧中阳极熔化过程的实验与仿真研究[J]. 电工技术学报, 2024, 39(7): 2143-2152, 2160. Zhang Zaiqin, Liu Zhiyuan, Wang Chuang, et al.Experimental and numerical study on anode melting in high current vacuum arcs[J]. Transactions of China Electrotechnical Society, 2024, 39(7): 2143-2152, 2160. [6] 董华军, 程靖洲, 赵一鉴, 等. 大电流真空电弧开断过程瞬态特性仿真分析[J]. 电机与控制学报, 2024, 28(1): 189-196. Dong Huajun, Cheng Jingzhou, Zhao Yijian, et al.Simulation analysis on transient characteristics of high-current vacuum arc in process of interruption[J]. Electric Machines and Control, 2024, 28(1): 189-196. [7] 崔建, 孙帅, 张国钢, 等. 基于双温度磁流体电弧仿真改进Mayr电弧模型的特快速暂态过电压仿真方法[J]. 电工技术学报, 2024, 39(16): 5149-5161. Cui Jian, Sun Shuai, Zhang Guogang, et al.The very fast transient overvoltage simulation method based on two-temperature MHD arc simulation to improve Mayr arc model[J]. Transactions of China Electro-technical Society, 2024, 39(16): 5149-5161. [8] 王立军, 王渊, 黄小龙, 等. 纵向磁场下真空电弧中阳极烧蚀过程的实验及仿真研究综述[J]. 高电压技术, 2019, 45(7): 2343-2352. Wang Lijun, Wang Yuan, Huang Xiaolong, et al.Experiments and simulation studies on anode erosion process in vacuum arc under axial magnetic field: a review[J]. High Voltage Engineering, 2019, 45(7): 2343-2352. [9] 葛国伟, 王文博, 程显, 等. 基于两间隙异步联动的一体化高压真空灭弧室电场设计[J]. 电工技术学报, 2024, 39(17): 5555-5564. Ge Guowei, Wang Wenbo, Cheng Xian, et al.Electric field design of integrated high-voltage vacuum interrupter based on two-gap asynchronous linkage[J]. Transactions of China Electrotechnical Society, 2024, 39(17): 5555-5564. [10] 郑伟, 孙英, 董华庆, 等. 双断口真空开关分断速度对动态电压分布影响[J]. 高压电器, 2024, 60(3): 1-7, 16. Zheng Wei, Sun Ying, Dong Huaqing, et al.Influence of breaking speed of double break vacuum switch on dynamic voltage distribution[J]. High Voltage Apparatus, 2024, 60(3): 1-7, 16. [11] 王景, 武建文. 中频真空电弧的等离子体特性[J].中国电机工程学报, 2011, 31(36): 145-152. Wang Jing, Wu Jianwen.Plasma characteristics of intermediate-frequency vacuum arc[J]. Proceedings of the CSEE, 2011, 31(36): 145-152. [12] 贾文彬, 司马文霞, 袁涛, 等. 半密闭灭弧腔室内电弧运动特性的三维仿真和实验[J]. 电工技术学报, 2021, 36(增刊1): 321-329. Jia Wenbin, Sima Wenxia, Yuan Tao, et al.3D simulation and experiment research on arc motion characteristics in the semi-enclosed arc-extinguishing chamber[J]. Transactions of China Electrotechnical Society, 2021, 36(S1): 321-329. [13] 蒋原, 马速良, 武建文, 等. 中频真空电弧边缘击穿现象及仿真研究[J]. 电工技术学报, 2024, 39(9): 2887-2895. Jiang Yuan, Ma Suliang, Wu Jianwen, et al.Experiment and simulation for edge breakdown in intermediate frequency vacuum arc[J]. Transactions of China Electrotechnical Society, 2024, 39(9): 2887-2895. [14] 钟昱铭, 熊兰, 杨子康, 等. 计及铜蒸气介质的小电流直流电弧仿真与实验[J]. 电工技术学报, 2020, 35(13): 2913-2921. Zhong Yuming, Xiong Lan, Yang Zikang, et al.Numerical simulation and experiment of small current DC arc considering copper vapor medium[J]. Tran-sactions of China Electrotechnical Society, 2020, 35(13): 2913-2921. [15] Jiang Yuan, Wu Jianwen, Ma Suliang, et al.Appearance of vacuum arcs in axial magnetic field and butt contacts at intermediate frequencies[J]. IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, 2019, 47(2): 1405-1412. [16] Miller H C.Anode modes in vacuum arcs: update[J]. IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, 2017, 45(8): 2366-2374. [17] Wang Lijun, Huang Xiaolong, Zhang Xiao, et al.Modeling and simulation of high-current vacuum arc considering the micro process of anode vapor[J]. Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 2017, 50(9): 095203. [18] Jiang Yuan, Wu Jianwen, Li Qing, et al.Influence of metal vapor on post-arc breakdown for intermediate frequency vacuum arc[J]. Vacuum, 2021, 193: 110551. [19] 席泽文, 武瑾, 庄劲武, 等. 直流熔断器电弧压力对电弧电导率影响的分析[J]. 海军工程大学学报, 2023, 35(6): 34-39. Xi Zewen, Wu Jin, Zhuang Jinwu, et al.Analysis of influence of arc pressure on arc conductivity of direct current fuse[J]. Journal of Naval University of Engineering, 2023, 35(6): 34-39. [20] 吴田, 杨东, 黎鹏, 等. 中压开关柜内部电弧压力升计算: 模型简化方法研究[J]. 高压电器, 2020, 56(3): 39-45, 53. Wu Tian, Yang Dong, Li Peng, et al.Study on the model simpliflcation method for the calculation of arc pressure rise in MV switchgear[J]. High Voltage Apparatus, 2020, 56(3): 39-45, 53. [21] 张俊鹏, 袁端磊, 李美, 等. 不同绝缘气体对内部故障电弧压力效应的影响[J]. 高压电器, 2017, 53(8): 100-104. Zhang Junpeng, Yuan Duanlei, Li Mei, et al.Influence of insulating gas on pressure rise in switch cabinet due to internal arc fault[J]. High Voltage Apparatus, 2017, 53(8): 100-104. [22] 蒋原, 李擎, 崔家瑞, 等. 纵向磁场下中频真空电弧的重燃现象分析[J]. 电工技术学报, 2020, 35(18): 3860-3868. Jiang Yuan, Li Qing, Cui Jiarui, et al.Re-ignition of intermediate frequency vacuum arc at axial magnetic field[J]. Transactions of China Electrotechnical Society, 2020, 35(18): 3860-3868. [23] 蒋原, 张茜, 李擎, 等. 一种中频真空电弧内部空间压力确定方法及系统: CN116539217A[P].2023-08-04. [24] 生鑫, 李争博, 付思, 等. 燃弧过程中真空旋转电弧轨迹追踪与特性[J]. 电工技术学报, 2024, 39(20): 6553-6563. Sheng Xin, Li Zhengbo, Fu Si, et al.Tracking and characterization of vacuum rotating arc trajectories during arc-firing process[J]. Transactions of China Electrotechnical Society, 2024, 39(20): 6553-6563. [25] 汤泉, 石志新, 毛志伟. 基于多阈值与神经网络的旋转电弧图像飞溅分析[J]. 焊接学报, 2022, 43(12): 41-46, 115. Tang Quan, Shi Zhixin, Mao Zhiwei.Spatter analysis of rotating arc image based on multi threshold and neural network[J]. Transactions of the China Welding Institution, 2022, 43(12): 41-46, 115. [26] 徐军帅, 李静, 刘树鑫, 等. 触头喷溅对直流开断的影响研究[J]. 电器与能效管理技术, 2023(1): 16-23. Xu Junshuai, Li Jing, Liu Shuxin, et al.Study on effect of contact splash on DC breaking[J]. Electrical & Energy Management Technology, 2023(1): 16-23. [27] 孙存金, 苏格毅, 于海涛, 等. 真空弧阴极放电液滴光散射测量[J]. 激光与光电子学进展, 2024, 61(15): 1-7. Sun Cunjin, Su Geyi, Yu Haitao, et al.On-line measurement of vacuum arc cathode discharge droplet[J]. Laser & Optoelectronics Progress, 2024, 61(15): 1-7.