Cluster Transformer With Multiple Primary Windings for Wind Turbines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The requirement of a separate transformer for each wind turbine power system increases complexity and cost in wind farms, necessitating a more efficient and cost-effective solution for voltage stepping up without individual transformers.
Innovation Solution
An electrical power system with a cluster transformer having multiple primary windings and a single secondary winding is used to step up voltage, eliminating the need for separate transformers at each subsystem, and a single cluster transformer connects multiple subsystems to the power grid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate transformer is installed for each wind turbine power system, then voltage stepping up is achieved reliably, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate transformer functions into a single cluster transformer that serves multiple wind turbine power systems. The cluster transformer has multiple primary windings connected to different subsystems and a single secondary winding connected to the power grid, eliminating the need for separate transformers at each subsystem while maintaining reliable voltage transformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cluster transformer is designed with multi-functionality to perform voltage transformation for multiple different power subsystems simultaneously. It can handle different voltage levels and configurations (e.g., wye-delta, delta-wye) through its multiple windings, making it a universal solution for various wind turbine power system configurations.
2Reliability
If a separate transformer is installed for each wind turbine power system, then voltage transformation is ensured, but cost increases due to transformer duplication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual transformers into one cluster transformer that serves multiple wind turbine power systems. This consolidation reduces the total number of transformers from N (one per subsystem) to 1 (shared cluster transformer), directly addressing the cost issue while maintaining voltage transformation capability through multiple primary windings.
3Reliability
If individual transformers are used at each subsystem, then electrical isolation is maintained, but ease of operation and maintenance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cluster transformer maintains electrical isolation between different power subsystems through its multiple primary windings while providing a unified interface to the power grid. This consolidation simplifies operation and maintenance by reducing the number of separate transformer units that need to be monitored and serviced, while the internal winding structure preserves the necessary electrical isolation.
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 transformer duplication and associated costs, simplifying the electrical balance of plant and enhancing the efficiency of wind farm operations.
Implementation Method 1
a cluster transformer with multiple primary windings and a single secondary winding so as to step up the voltage supplied to the grid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An electrical power system connectable to a power grid includes at least one cluster of electrical power subsystems. Each of the electrical power subsystems includes a power converter electrically coupled to a generator having a generator rotor and a generator stator. Each of the electrical power subsystems defines a stator power path and a converter power path for providing power to the power grid. The electrical power system also includes a single cluster transformer connecting the at least one cluster of the electrical power subsystems to the power grid. The single cluster transformer includes a plurality of low-voltage (LV) primary windings and at least one medium-voltage/high-voltage secondary (MV/HV) winding.