AC Grid Fault Detection Using Precomputed Sinusoidal Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting faults in alternating current electrical grids are not quick enough to enable reliable fault ride through during low voltage events, leading to potential disconnection of electricity generation systems.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves connecting to the electrical grid, generating a reference sinusoidal waveform, sampling the instantaneous grid voltage, and performing a detection procedure to compare the reference waveform to the sampled voltage, allowing for rapid identification of faults by determining deviations from a predetermined parameter range, thereby preventing disconnection during low voltage events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If current methods of grid RMS voltage detection or peak detection are used, then fault detection can be performed, but the detection speed is too slow to enable reliable fault ride through
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores voltage magnitude values at multiple predetermined points along the expected sinusoidal waveform in advance. When a fault occurs, the system simply compares the actual sampled voltage against these pre-stored reference values, eliminating the need for real-time complex calculations and enabling rapid fault detection within a fraction of a cycle, thus achieving both high speed and reliability for fault ride through
2Speed
If methods relying on voltage running average calculation are used, then fault detection can be performed, but the detection speed is too slow
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-computes and stores the expected voltage magnitude values at multiple predetermined points of the sinusoidal waveform before operation. During normal operation, fault detection is achieved by direct comparison between actual sampled voltage and these pre-stored reference values, eliminating time-consuming running average calculations and enabling instantaneous fault identification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/computational process of calculating running averages with a direct lookup and comparison mechanism against pre-stored voltage magnitude values. This substitution transforms a time-intensive computational process into a rapid comparison operation, significantly reducing the time to detect and identify faults
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for identifying a fault in an alternating current electrical grid is provided.