Energy Accumulator Module for Pulsating Load Current Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power systems face challenges in supporting pulsating electrical loads, leading to increased complexity and cost due to rapid switching demands that exceed the available rate of change of source current, resulting in voltage dips and harmonic distortion.
Innovation Solution
An energy accumulator module (EAM) is integrated with a power generator system, featuring a power converter and controller module that operates in charge and discharge modes to supplement current during transient periods, enabling efficient current delivery beyond the generator's bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional power systems directly support pulsating electrical loads, then the system structure remains simple, but the system cannot meet the rapid current change demands, resulting in voltage dips and harmonic distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an energy accumulator module as an intermediary component between the power source and the load. This module includes a capacitor that stores energy and can rapidly discharge to support pulsating loads, thereby meeting transient current demands without requiring the entire power system to be complex. The intermediary capacitor handles the rapid current changes, protecting the main power system from stress while improving transient response capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The power system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a power source, an energy accumulator module with capacitor, and a controller. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the capacitor handles transient energy storage, the controller manages charge/discharge operations, and the power source provides steady-state power. This modular approach improves transient response while keeping overall system complexity manageable through clear division of functions.
2Reliability
If active rectification is used to improve transient response, then the transient performance improves, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a capacitor-based energy accumulator that provides transient support only when needed, rather than requiring complex active rectification circuits to continuously manage transient responses. The capacitor charges during normal operation and discharges briefly during transient events, providing cost-effective transient support without the ongoing complexity of active rectification control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the transient response function from the main power conversion system and places it in a separate energy accumulator module. This extraction allows the main power system to operate in its optimal steady-state mode while the dedicated capacitor module handles transient demands, simplifying the overall system architecture compared to using active rectification for both steady-state and transient control.
3Speed
If the power converter operates at high switching speeds to meet load demands, then the transient response improves, but electromagnetic interference and stress on components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor is pre-charged during normal operation to store energy before transient events occur. When a pulsating load demand arises, the pre-stored energy is immediately discharged, providing rapid current support without requiring high-speed switching during the transient event itself. This preliminary energy storage approach achieves fast response while avoiding the electromagnetic interference associated with high-speed switching during load transients.
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 provides improved transient response and efficiency compared to active rectification, reducing system complexity and cost while minimizing stress on the power converter, thus enhancing load regulation and electromagnetic interference performance.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitor (C1) coupled electrically in series between the boost leg (158) and the second transmission line (142)
Implementation Method 2
an inductor (L1) coupled at a first end to the first transmission line (141), and at a second end to a node (154)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An energy accumulator module (EAM) (140) is coupleable electrically in parallel between a power source (110) and an electrical load (120) via a first transmission line (141) and a second transmission line (142), to receive a DC voltage from the power source (110). The EAM (140) includes a power converter (150) having inductor (L1) coupled at a first end to the first transmission line (141), and at a second end to a node (154), a switching stage (156) including a buck leg (159) and a boost leg (158), and a capacitor (C1) coupled electrically in series between the boost leg (158) and the second transmission line (142). A controller module (170) is configured to control the switching stage (156) to operate in one of a charge mode to charge the capacitor (C1), and a discharge mode to provide a current to the first transmission line (141).