Backup Power Generator Protection via Electronic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Circuit breakers in back-up electric power systems often improperly open due to transient conditions, leading to false trips or delays, which can cause damage to generators and equipment.
Innovation Solution
A control circuitry system that monitors electric output from a back-up generator and halts operation if undesirable conditions are detected, using a protection profile that accounts for both magnitude and duration of parameters like voltage, current, and temperature, eliminating the need for circuit breakers by ensuring timely shutdown without disrupting electrical continuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If circuit breakers are used for fault protection, then equipment protection is provided, but delay in opening occurs resulting in damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical circuit breaker opening mechanism with an electronic control system that can instantaneously detect faults and command shutdown. The control circuitry processes electrical signals and executes tripping commands electronically, eliminating the mechanical delays inherent in traditional circuit breaker operation while maintaining equipment protection through precise thermal modeling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors electrical parameters and provides immediate feedback to the control logic. When a fault condition is detected, the system instantly compares the deviation against protection profiles and executes the appropriate response without delay, ensuring equipment protection while minimizing response time through real-time feedback control.
2Reliability
If circuit breakers open in response to transient conditions, then system protection is provided, but false trips disrupt electrical continuity
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the protection parameter from a simple current threshold to a time-current-thermal model based on equipment thermal capacity. By evaluating faults against thermal damage curves that account for duration and magnitude, the system distinguishes between harmless transients and genuine threats, maintaining electrical continuity during acceptable transient conditions while still providing protection against actual damage risks.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment of the present application is directed to a protection technique for a back-up electric power generation system. This system includes an electric power generator, generator control circuitry, electrical output sensors to provide one or more corresponding signals, electrical switching equipment to selectively couple the generator to an electrical load, and electric power feeder conductors to route electric power from the generator to the switching equipment. The control circuitry is responsive to the sensor signals to determine if a shut-down condition exists as a function of a protection profile determined for the system. This profile may account for damage thresholds of the generator, the feeder conductors, and the electrical switching equipment for each of a number of different combinations of level and duration of electrical output as represented by the sensor signals.