High-Frequency AC Voltage Regulator Bypass for Energy Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional AC voltage regulators, relying on low-frequency magnetic structures, are inefficient in energy savings as they continue to consume power to boost low input AC voltages, leading to increased energy waste and maintenance needs due to mechanical wear.
Innovation Solution
A high-frequency AC voltage regulator system with a bypass contactor and fast bidirectional AC semiconductor device is used to bypass the power electronics when input voltage falls below an optimal level, directly applying low AC mains voltage to the load, thereby reducing energy consumption and avoiding unnecessary boosting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional low-frequency AC voltage regulators continuously boost low input AC voltages to maintain optimal output voltage, then the output voltage regulation is maintained, but energy consumption increases and energy savings are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operational modes: active voltage regulation mode (when input voltage is above threshold) and bypass mode (when input voltage falls below threshold). This dynamic adaptation allows the system to minimize energy consumption by disabling the regulator when boosting is unnecessary, while maintaining voltage regulation stability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the voltage regulation function from the continuous operation and separates it into conditional operation. The bypass contactor removes the load from the regulator when the input voltage is already acceptable, eliminating unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining regulation when required.
2Ease of operation
If electro-mechanical auto-transformers with carbon brushes are used for voltage regulation, then voltage adjustment is achieved, but mechanical wear occurs requiring frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the electro-mechanical carbon brush system with a solid-state electronic switching system using bypass contactors and semiconductor devices. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear components while maintaining the voltage adjustment capability through electronic control, significantly reducing maintenance requirements.
3Measurement precision
If high-frequency power electronics are continuously used to regulate AC voltage, then precise voltage control is achieved, but power electronics energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic monitoring of input voltage levels and switches between regulation and bypass modes accordingly. The bypass contactor is activated periodically when input voltage drops below the threshold, allowing the high-frequency power electronics to remain idle during periods when regulation is not needed, thus reducing their energy consumption while maintaining precise control when activated.
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 achieves additional energy savings by minimizing power electronics usage and avoiding voltage drops, while also protecting against power surges through the bypass contactor and semiconductor device combination.
Implementation Method 1
A high-frequency AC voltage regulator system with a bypass contactor and fast bidirectional AC semiconductor device is used to bypass the power electronics when input voltage falls below an optimal level, directly applying low AC mains voltage to the load
Implementation Method 2
Energy saving high frequency series buck AC voltage regulator system
Data Source
AI summary
An energy saving alternate current (AC) series voltage regulator comprises an AC high frequency (HF) series voltage buck power regulator, a bypass contactor (K1), a bidirectional AC semiconductor device (S1) connected in parallel with the bypass contactor and a control circuitry. Under the condition of an input AC mains voltage (Vin) drops below a specified and set optimum energy savings voltage or a lower selected voltage point, the control circuitry transitions both the slow bypass contactor and the fast bidirectional AC semiconductor device, then the AC high frequency (HF) series voltage buck power regulator are switched out to save the AC high frequency (HF) series voltage buck power regulator internal power electronics usage. Under this condition, the lower input AC mains voltage is directly delivered to an electrical load by the contactor bypass system, hence achieving more energy savings.