Current Flow Control Assembly for Low-Loss DC Grid Congestion Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrical networks, such as DC power grids, face challenges in efficiently managing current flow due to changes in power flow conditions, leading to issues like transmission congestion, which existing systems struggle to address effectively without unnecessary operational losses and requiring detailed information about each current flow controller.

Innovation Solution

A current flow control assembly comprising multiple current flow controllers and a control unit that selectively operates these controllers within their respective or combined current flow control ranges to optimize current flow, allowing for flexible control without detailed information on each controller type, thereby reducing operational losses and improving efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all current flow controllers are operated to control current flow in the electrical network, then current flow control requirements are met, but operational losses increase and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent flow control requirement fulfillmentVSAvoidoperational losses
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit segments the control task by selectively operating only the necessary current flow controllers based on their respective control ranges and the specific control requirements, rather than operating all controllers. This segmentation reduces unnecessary operational losses while still meeting the control requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by operating only the minimum necessary number of current flow controllers required to meet the control requirements, avoiding excessive operation of all available controllers and thereby reducing operational losses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Ease of operation

If detailed information about each current flow controller is required for control, then precise control is achieved, but system complexity and information requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent flow control precisionVSAvoidinformation requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit implements a universal control approach by selecting current flow controllers based on their control ranges without requiring detailed information about each controller's specific type or characteristics. This universal method simplifies the information requirements while maintaining control precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple current flow controllers are operated simultaneously, then control flexibility is improved, but operational losses and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol flexibilityVSAvoidoperational losses
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the set of available current flow controllers and operates only the specific subset necessary to meet the control requirements. This selective operation maintains control flexibility while avoiding the operational losses associated with running all controllers simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit applies partial action by operating only the necessary number of current flow controllers rather than all available controllers, thereby maintaining adequate control flexibility while reducing operational losses from excessive controller operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3018786B2Current flow control assembly
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 GENERAL ELECTRIC TECH GMBH
  • EP3018786B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3018786B2 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3018786B2 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A current flow control assembly, for controlling current flow in an electrical network of a plurality of interconnected electrical elements (48), comprises: a plurality of current flow controllers (30,32,34), each current flow controller (30,32,34) being connectable to at least one of the plurality of interconnected electrical elements (48), each current flow controller (30,32,34) being configured to be operable to selectively control current flow in at least one of the plurality of interconnected electrical elements (48) within a respective current flow control range; a control unit (50) configured to be in communication with each of the plurality of current flow controllers (30,32,34), wherein the control unit (50) is configured to: select at least one of the plurality of current flow controllers (30,32,34) with a current flow control range or a combined current flow control range that corresponds to one or more current flow control requirements of the electrical network; and operate the or each selected current flow controller (30,32,34) to control current flow in at least one of the plurality of interconnected electrical elements (48) so as to control current flow in the electrical network in accordance with the or each current flow control requirement of the electrical network.