AC Voltage Stabiliser with Electronic Protection and Remote Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing AC voltage regulators are heavy, large, expensive, and lack overcurrent protection, remote control capabilities, and service functions, leading to inefficiencies and reliability issues in voltage regulation, particularly in stabilizing AC power in three-phase electrical networks.
Innovation Solution
The AC voltage regulator incorporates a transformer with a switching unit of series-connected NC and NO contacts, a bridging capacitor, and RC circuits, along with a double-pole power circuit-breaker and additional protection units, including a diode bridge and thyristor, to provide overcurrent protection, remote control, and improved control and switching capabilities, enabling smoother voltage regulation and load bypassing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traditional transformer circuits with thyristor switching are used for AC voltage regulation, then voltage regulation capability is improved, but device weight and size increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical thyristor switching circuits with an electronic control system based on microcontroller and power electronic components. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy magnetic cores and bulky transformer windings, achieving voltage regulation through electronic switching and control, thereby significantly reducing device weight while maintaining regulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameters of the transformer by using high-frequency switching instead of traditional low-frequency mechanical switching. This allows the use of smaller magnetic components that operate efficiently at higher frequencies, reducing the size and weight of the transformer while maintaining the required voltage regulation performance.
2Reliability
If motor-driven autotransformers are used for AC voltage stabilization, then power recuperation under complex load is improved, but response speed decreases and device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical motor-driven mechanism with an electronic switching system controlled by a microcontroller. This electronic control system responds instantaneously to voltage changes and load conditions, eliminating the mechanical inertia and slow response characteristics of motor-driven systems while maintaining power recuperation capability through galvanic coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements dynamic voltage regulation by continuously monitoring voltage deviations and adjusting the switching state of power electronic components in real-time. This dynamic control approach allows the system to adapt rapidly to changing load conditions and voltage fluctuations, achieving fast response speed while maintaining power recuperation under complex loads.
3Power
If mechanical switchover of regulating winding taps is used for voltage stabilization, then voltage regulation is achieved, but contact wear increases and response speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based tap switching with solid-state electronic switching components. This eliminates the mechanical wear and contact degradation problems inherent in mechanical switchover systems, significantly improving reliability and extending service life while maintaining voltage stabilization capability through electronic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential function of voltage regulation from the mechanical switching mechanism and implements it through electronic components. By separating the control function from mechanical contacts, the system achieves voltage stabilization without the harmful effects of contact wear and mechanical failure.
4Power
If prior art voltage regulators with high-powered switching elements are used, then voltage regulation is achieved, but reliability decreases due to commutation currents and electromagnetic compatibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the switching parameters by using modern power electronic components with optimized switching characteristics. The control system employs soft-switching techniques and optimized gate drive circuits that reduce commutation currents and minimize electromagnetic interference, thereby improving reliability while maintaining voltage regulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a microcontroller-based control system as an intermediary between the power switching elements and the load. This control intermediary optimizes switching sequences, manages commutation currents, and coordinates the operation of switching elements to minimize electromagnetic compatibility issues and improve overall system reliability.
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
The solution enhances operational reliability, provides overcurrent protection, and allows for remote control and service functions, ensuring efficient and stable AC voltage regulation with reduced current interruption and improved power quality, achieving ±2% voltage stability and 99.56% efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a transformer with a secondary winding (6) and a primary winding (7)
Implementation Method 2
one of four RC circuits (13, 14) is connected in parallel with each contact of the switching elements
Implementation Method 3
one of four RC circuits (13, 14) is connected in parallel with each contact of the switching elements
Implementation Method 4
an additional protection unit (16) made as a diode bridge (17)
Implementation Method 5
a thyristor of the protection unit is connected to the diode bridge output
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to electrical automatic systems able to restore the reference values of the AC variable voltage. The system of power circuit-breakers provides protection of an AC voltage regulator. A double-pole power circuit-breaker 21 is connected so that its first contact is made between the input of the mains phase conductor and the point of connection of the input of a regulating unit 2 and one of the outputs of a shunt release 22, which is the input of an additional protection unit 16 made as a diode bridge 17 whose output is connected to power electrodes of a protection thyristor 18. The second output of the shunt release 22 is connected to the input of the diode bridge 17, the second contact of the double-pole power circuit breaker is connected between the output of the regulating unit 2 and a point of connection of a load 3 and an output capacitor 15, thereby forming a triple-pole circuit-breaker the contacts of which are connected in a specific circuit between the second end of the transformer primary winding and mains 1. A stand-by double-pole power circuit-breaker 26 is connected between the mains and the load, and a remote control button 27 is connected between the first output of the shunt release 22 of the double-pole power circuit-breaker and the neutral conductor. Disclosed are the embodiments of an AC voltage regulator providing the step-down, step-up; step-up and step-down modes of operation for a separate voltage regulator and a voltage regulator in a cascade circuit with extended protection and service functions along with the improvement of some units.