AC Voltage Regulator Using Partial Power Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing AC voltage regulators are inefficient, large, and costly due to the need to convert and regulate the entire power received, regardless of necessity, resulting in high operational costs and size.
Innovation Solution
An AC voltage regulator design that includes an input, isolated power supply, control circuit, and amplifier, which only converts and regulates a portion of the input voltage (approximately 10%) when necessary, using a feedback loop to add a differential signal to the input voltage, thereby achieving efficient regulation without unnecessary power conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnetic, mechanical, ferro-resonance, servo-variac, tap changing, or electrical switching systems are used to regulate AC voltage, then voltage regulation is achieved, but the system size, weight, and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power regulation function into two paths: a majority path (10-90% of power) that bypasses conversion and a minor path (10-90% of power) that undergoes AC-to-DC-to-AC conversion for precise regulation. This segmentation allows the system to achieve voltage regulation without converting the entire power flow, dramatically reducing the size and weight of required components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial power conversion, processing only the portion of power (10-90%) that requires regulation while allowing the remainder to pass through unchanged. This partial action approach eliminates the need for oversized conversion equipment capable of handling 100% of the power, reducing overall system mass.
2Reliability
If 100% of the power is converted and regulated, then voltage regulation is achieved, but operational costs and energy loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts and regulates only the necessary portion of power (10-90%) while allowing the remainder to bypass the conversion process. This partial conversion approach directly reduces energy losses associated with magnetic core hysteresis, copper losses, and switching losses that would occur if 100% of the power were converted.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the necessary portion of power (10-90%) that requires regulation from the main power flow, processes it through the AC-to-DC-to-AC conversion path, and recombines it with the unconverted majority path. This extraction approach minimizes energy loss by avoiding unnecessary conversion of power that does not require regulation.
3Reliability
If magnetic, mechanical, ferro-resonance, servo-variac, tap changing, or electrical switching systems are used, then voltage regulation is achieved, but manufacturing and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the power flow into converted and unconverted paths, the system uses smaller, less expensive components. The AC-to-DC converter, DC-to-AC inverter, and associated control circuitry only need to handle 10-90% of the power rather than 100%, significantly reducing component sizes, material requirements, and manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical regulation mechanisms (such as servo-variac motors, tap changers, and magnetic saturable reactors) with an electronic control system consisting of AC-to-DC converter, DC-to-AC inverter, and microcontroller-based control circuitry. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical parts, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
4Reliability
If the entire power is converted to regulate voltage, then proper voltage regulation is achieved, but the system becomes overly large and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the power regulation function into a bypass path for the majority of power and a conversion path for the minority portion requiring regulation. This segmentation allows the use of compact AC-to-DC and DC-to-AC converters instead of large magnetic or mechanical regulation equipment, dramatically reducing system footprint and complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces the size and cost of AC voltage regulators by approximately 1/50th and 1/10th respectively, while maintaining high efficiency, and lowers operational costs by only converting and regulating when needed, achieving 97% total efficiency with minimal loss.
Implementation Method 1
The isolated power supply is configured to receive the input voltage and output a direct-current (DC) signal isolated from the input voltage
Implementation Method 2
The amplifier is configured to receive the isolated DC signal, the adjusted voltage, and a feedback loop, and output a differential signal
Implementation Method 3
The output is configured to add the differential signal to the input voltage resulting in a regulated voltage
Data Source
AI summary
An alternating-current (AC) voltage regulator including an isolated power supply, a control circuit, an amplifier, and an output. The isolated power supply is configured to receive an input voltage and output a direct-current (DC) signal isolated from the input voltage. The control circuit is configured to adjust a portion of the input voltage, and output an adjusted voltage. The amplifier is configured to output a differential signal. The differential signal is based on at least one selected from a group consisting of the isolated DC signal, the adjusted voltage, and a feedback loop. The output is configured to add the differential signal to the input voltage resulting in a regulated voltage, and output the regulated voltage.