Mobile, portable, plug-and-play device for the optimized and secure connection of multi-phase power generators to the electrical house installation for emergency power supply

Abstract

A mobile, portable, plug-and-play device for the optimized and secure connection of multi-phase generators to the building's electrical installation for emergency power supply, characterized in that a housing contains a 3-phase bridge rectifier (4), a smoothing capacitor (3), an electronic inverter (9), a single-phase residual current circuit breaker (RCBO), a protective contact socket (5), and a 3-phase CEE plug (6). The rectifier input is connected to the 3-phase CEE plug, and the rectifier output is connected to the inverter. The inverter output is connected to the protective contact socket via the RCBO. The smoothing capacitor is connected in parallel with the rectifier output.

Description

[0001] Emergency generators can help bridge power outages. More and more people are acquiring emergency generators for their homes due to the need for energy independence, for example, during grid failures. Accordingly, the global market for emergency generators is a growth market. However, small single-phase emergency generators cannot operate three-phase appliances such as certain electric stoves, heat pumps, or water pumps. More powerful three-phase generators are required for this. These standard three-phase generators, however, have disadvantages if they are not used exclusively to power three-phase appliances but are also intended to supply the rest of the household with single-phase appliances (if no additional single-phase generator is available). The problems are listed below: 1. Standard 3-phase generators with AVR are not suitable for unbalanced loads:

[0002] An unbalanced load means an uneven distribution of the load across the three phases or windings of the generator. This can lead to damage to the generator and also to connected devices. An unbalanced load occurs when a single-phase appliance with a higher electrical power rating is operated using the generator's current (e.g., an electric hairdryer, a microwave oven, a washing machine, or a dishwasher). The single-phase load causes a so-called neutral point shift, resulting in a voltage drop on the loaded winding of the generator. The generator's automatic voltage regulator (AVR) compensates for this, causing a significant voltage increase on the two other, less loaded windings. This can very easily damage electrical appliances operating on one of the other two phases in the household.Virtually all emergency power generators with high-speed 50 Hz generators have this problem. Generators with sufficient unbalanced load capability are technically more complex, usually significantly heavier and larger, and considerably more expensive to purchase (up to 10 times more), which generally makes them unsuitable for private households. 2. The 3-phase generator output cannot be used optimally:

[0003] When providing emergency power to a single household, it is generally not possible to distribute the electrical power drawn evenly across all three phases of a three-phase generator. For the sizing of a three-phase emergency generator, this means that the generator must be powerful enough to handle the maximum possible power demand (on that phase) to prevent generator failure. As a rule, the generator must therefore be significantly larger than a single-phase generator, since each individual phase of the three-phase generator can only handle a maximum of one-third of the total generator output. This necessitates the use of an emergency generator that is far oversized beyond the actual power demand, resulting in significantly higher investment costs and higher operating costs (energy waste). 3. The generated alternating current is not a pure sinusoidal waveform:

[0004] Another problem arises when the generator's current is fed directly into the house's electrical system due to the often less-than-ideal sine wave of the generated alternating current. This effectively reduces the power available for the end devices, and many electronic devices struggle to process the less-than-ideal waveform, either failing to function or being damaged.

[0005] Directly connecting a conventional 3-phase generator would lead to the problems mentioned above.

[0006] Alternatively, a 3-phase core transformer can be installed between the generator and the house connection. However, this concept has the following disadvantages: Three-phase transformers are expensive, very heavy, and inefficient at low loads. Their manufacturing process is complex, requiring a large number of copper windings and an iron core to handle three-phase current. Three-phase transformers must be installed and regularly maintained by a qualified professional. Therefore, they are generally not suitable for occasional use as emergency power supplies in private homes.

[0007] The invention described in claim 1 addresses the problem of how to practically and cost-effectively implement an emergency power supply for a household with various appliances (some with single-phase power consumption and others requiring three-phase power). Furthermore, the invention aims to reduce the generator's emissions and fuel consumption, as well as protect connected electronic devices from damage caused by over- or undervoltage. The device should be operable by a layperson simply by connecting CEE plug connectors.

[0008] This problem is solved by the features listed in claim 1.

[0009] This invention enables virtually any available generator, especially three-phase generators (but also others), to be connected to the home's electrical system immediately, without significant effort or extensive electrical engineering knowledge, and without the risk of damaging the generator or high-quality household appliances. (The prerequisite, of course, is that the generator can supply the required electrical power.) The generator's quality or modernity is irrelevant. Older or simpler generators, and even PTO generators, can be used. Neither frequency nor voltage fluctuations from the generator pose a problem. Therefore, my invention provides a large number of generators for household power supply in an emergency. It is no longer necessary to purchase and keep on hand very expensive, large, and heavy generators.

[0010] My device makes it possible, in particular, to operate a 3-phase consumer (e.g., a three-phase motor) directly connected to the generator output using only a relatively small and inexpensive generator, while simultaneously ensuring the household supply.

[0011] Furthermore, my device makes better use of a generator's output. In practical terms, this results in increased generator power, fuel savings, and a significant reduction in emissions (CO2 savings). The power conversion efficiency of my device is over 98% (less than 2% energy loss due to heat generation).

[0012] One advantage over using a standard, affordable inverter generator, which also electronically regulates and produces a relatively pure sine wave, is that my unit can also be connected to a diesel-powered generator (often a three-phase version). Unlike most gasoline-powered inverter generators, diesel generators typically have longer run times or can even be used continuously. Furthermore, diesel generators are significantly more economical to operate, as they consume less fuel relative to their power output. With my unit, a 24 / 7 power supply is therefore relatively simple and cost-effective, something that is generally not possible with an inverter generator in an affordable price range due to its limited maximum runtime.(While there are also single-phase inverter diesel generators, these are significantly more expensive than "normal" AVR-regulated diesel generators.)

[0013] An advantageous embodiment of my invention is formulated in claims 6 and 7. It includes an additional plug input 11 ( Fig. 3 - Special plug for DC connection) can also rectify the 3-phase AC current directly at the generator via an additional device ( Fig. 4) This device is connected to the generator via a 3-phase connection. A special DC cable then connects it to the main unit. This offers advantages over longer distances between the generator's location and the house's electrical supply connection, as less energy is lost when transmitting DC over longer distances compared to transmitting AC (e.g., due to capacitive reactive power).

[0014] An embodiment of the invention is described with reference to the Fig. 1 to 4 explained. They show: Fig. 1: Standard version of the device Fig. 2: Version of the device with additional DC input Fig. 3: Highlighting the additional components for the DC input Fig. 4: External rectifier (optional accessory)

[0015] The generator output is connected to the CEE socket input 5 via a 3-phase extension cable ( Fig. 1+ Fig. 2) connected. Via the 3-phase bridge rectifier 4 ( Fig. 1+ Fig. 2) Rectification with smoothing of the residual ripple is carried out by the capacitor (with series resistor) 3 ( Fig. 1+ Fig. 2) The direct current is converted by the RF inverter 9 ( Fig. 1+ Fig. 2) converted to single-phase alternating current and can be plugged into the Schuko socket 6 ( Fig. 1+ Fig. 2) can be removed. A residual current and load protection switch 7 ( is connected in between. Fig. 1+ Fig. 2) The operating status can be checked via the two voltmeters, one for the DC side and one for the AC output. The device can be easily transported using the carrying handle 8.

[0016] A special feature is the possibility of performing the current rectification in close proximity to the generator using the optional external rectifier module ( Fig. 4) to be carried out. In this case, the generator output is connected to the 3-phase CEE socket input 5 ( Fig. 4) of the external rectifier. The DC output 11 ( Fig. 4) is connected to the DC input 11 via a special DC extension cable (special plug and socket) ( Fig. 2+ Fig. 3) of the main unit Fig. 2 connected. Via selector switch 10 ( Fig. 2+ Fig.3) is switched to the corresponding input. Reference symbol list 1 Voltmeter AC 2 Voltmeter DC 3 Smoothing capacitor (with series resistor) 4 3-phase bridge rectifiers 5 3-phase CEE surface-mounted plugs 6 grounded sockets (230 V) 7 Single-phase residual current circuit breaker / miniature circuit breaker (RCBO) 8 Carrying handle 9 RF inverters 10 2-pole changeover switch with interruption on switching (DPDT) 11 special built-in DC plugs (reverse polarity protected) 12 fans

Claims

[1] Mobile, portable, plug-and-play device for the optimized and secure connection of multi-phase power generators to the electrical house installation for emergency power supply, characterized by The housing contains a 3-phase bridge rectifier (4), a smoothing capacitor (3), an electronic inverter (9), a single-phase residual current circuit breaker (RCBO), a protective contact socket (5), and a 3-phase CEE plug (6). The rectifier input is connected to the 3-phase CEE plug, and the rectifier output is connected to the inverter. The inverter output is connected to the protective contact socket via the RCBO. The smoothing capacitor is connected in parallel with the rectifier output. [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by, that the housing is optionally made of metal or plastic and is of manageable dimensions, i.e., up to a maximum of 60 cm in its greatest extent and up to a maximum of 10 kilograms in weight, and has a handle (8) for transport. [3] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that it has a display instrument for the DC voltage (2) and a display instrument for the AC voltage (1). [4] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it has an electric fan (12). [5] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that it optionally has a connection cable with a 3-phase CEE plug instead of a 3-phase CEE surface-mounted plug. [6] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat it (optionally) has a reverse polarity protected, built-in DC plug (11) and a 2-pole changeover switch with interruption on switching (DPDT) (10). The DC plug is additionally covered by a screw cap when not in use. [7] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that as an accessory an external 3-phase bridge rectifier, which is housed in its own smaller casing with a connection cable with a 3-phase CEE plug and with a built-in, reverse polarity protected DC socket, can be connected via a suitable DC cable with plug and socket ( Fig. 4).

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